Issue - meetings

Report ED15095

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report providing an update on progress in delivering the Basic Need Programme, which supported the provision of sufficient school places through improvements to and the expansion of Bromley schools, and to set out the forward programme for the period of 2014-2018.

The updated list of schemes within the Basic Need programme had been developed to meet the estimated increase in the number of reception age pupils in the Borough.  ‘Bulge years’ and permanent expansions were planned at a number of existing local schools to provide the required pupil places, which would be delivered through a combination of modular build and internal refurbishment.

In response to a question from a Member, the Head of Strategic Pupil Place Planning confirmed that the capital funding provided to the Local Authority by the Department for Education to support the introduction of free school meals for Key Stage 1 pupils in Local Authority Maintained and Voluntary Aided schools had been fully allocated, and that the programme of kitchen improvements would be completed by the end of Summer 2015.  Additional Basic Need funding was allocated to schools identified for temporary or permanent expansion to ensure that shared facilities, including kitchen and dining facilities, were able to meet the needs of an increased number of pupils.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1)  Approve the updated list of schemes within the Basic Need Capital Programme;

2)  Agree the procurement and award of contract of schemes within the Basic Need Programme through traditional procurement, the Lewisham Modular Buildings Framework or through devolution of the Basic Need Capital Grant to schools and to delegate authority to the Assistant Director: Education in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Education for the award of contracts up to a value of £500,000 for individual schemes procured through these routes; and,

3)  Authorise the Assistant Director: Education to submit planning applications at the appropriate time in respect of the list of schemes.