Issue - meetings

Report CEF23022

The report proposed the allocation of Dedicated School Grant to Marjorie McClure School to support the operation of the Woodlodge Living Skills Centre.

The Chairman praised the excellence of this provision which supported children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities to develop their independence and social skills and also provided an important respite function for parents and carers.  A Co-opted Member queried whether this provision could be expanded to include children with Education, Health and Care Plans attending mainstream schools and the Chairman advised that this provision was specially adapted to meet the needs of children with a higher level of need.  In response to another question from a Member, the Head of Strategic Place Planning confirmed that this was an existing area of spend within the Dedicated Schools Grant and that the proposals simply aimed to regularise the funding arrangements now that Marjorie McClure School, which operated the Centre, was a foundation school and was able to enter directly into the lease with Sanctuary Housing Association.

RESOLVED: That the Portfolio Holder be recommended to agreed that Dedicated Schools Grant funding of £70k per annum be allocated to Marjorie McClure School for a period of five years to support the operation of the Woodlodge Living Skills Centre.