Agenda item

Report ED15084

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 2014/17.  The report also outlined the proposed allocation of capital funding for the extension of early learning places to an increased number of two year olds to private, voluntary and independent sector providers, feasibility for the redevelopment of Beacon House, and proposed actions identified following a health and safety audit of Bromley schools.

The updated list of schemes within the Basic Needs Programme had been developed to meet the estimated increase in the number reception age pupils in the Borough from September 2014 onwards.  ‘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 addition to the Basic Need Programme, there was a need to undertake capital works to deliver the early years offer under which approximately 40% of all two year olds would be eligible for an early learning place.  To support the implementation of this policy, the Government had provided the Local Authority with £744,903 to build capacity of statutory places for two year olds across the Borough.  The Local Authority was also seeking to build alternative provision for young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties through the purchase of Beacon House, approved by the Council’s Executive on 10^th June 2014.  It would be necessary to refurbish Beacon House to make it suitable for school use and to offer a wider variety of vocational courses, and to support this it had been identified that a consultant should be appointed to undertake a feasibility study to identify the necessary works and ensure that Beacon House could be used for its intended purpose.

A consultant had recently been commissioned to review the management of health and safety within schools that had yet to convert to academy status.  This audit was carried out during the 2013/14 academic year at 60 Local Authority Maintained and Voluntary Aided schools across the Borough.  A range of health and safety concerns had been identified during the course of this audit, and the Local Authority was now developing an action plan to work with schools to address the issues raised within the report.  It was estimated that the cost of dealing with these issues and establishing a programme of training for staff and governors would cost approximately £1.8m, and it was proposed that this be funded through the Dedicated Schools Grant, with any additional funds coming from the historic underspend on the education planned maintenance programme.

RESOLVED that:

1)  Progress in expanding the vocational offer to pupils with social, emotional or behaviour difficulties through the proposed purchase and refurbishment of Beacon House be noted;

2)  The outcomes from the schools’ health and safety audit and recommended response be noted; and,

3)  The Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

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

  ii)  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;

  iii)  Agree the proposed allocation of capital funding for two year olds as set out in Report ED15084;

  iv)  Agree the proposed devolution of capital funding for two year olds to private, voluntary and independent sector providers; and,

  v)  Agree to the procurement of consultants to undertake the feasibility of refurbishing Beacon House.