To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Johnson.

To receive any declarations of interest

None received.

To consider the Part I minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2020.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Part I minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2020 were approved.

None

To consider the Forward Plan for the period September to December 2020.

Cabinet considered the contents of the Forward Plan for the next four months and noted the changes made since last published, including:

-       Transformation Strategy going to the Cabinet Transformation Sub-Committee on 22 September 2020.

-       Place Recovery Strategy going to Cabinet on 24 September 2020.

Cabinet considered the report regarding the outcome of the feasibility study into the potential of future school expansions.

The Deputy Chairman of Cabinet, Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Health and Mental Health informed Cabinet that officers had assessed the feasibility of expanding all schools in the borough, in response to likely increases in demand arising from planned new housing. The report explained the school expansions feasibility programme and highlights some key overall findings. These studies would  be used to underpin development of a strategic school expansion programme.

The Lead Member highlighted that this was a feasibility study of all schools and the possibility of expansion if required and not a programme of work.  The finding of the report would be used to inform future decisions.

The  Director of Children’s Services informed that each feasibility study contained:

·         An overview of the school site and buildings.

·         A comparison of the site and buildings with national guidelines on school spaces.

·         A summary of likely parking and access issues.

·         one or more potential options for school expansions, and a comparison of the resulting site and buildings with the national guidelines.

·         A brief summary of the condition of the school buildings.

This was part of a long term view of managing the school estate especially in light of the emerging Borough Local Plan.  He also highlighted that the study had looked at the future possibility of the Windsor system moving from a three tier to a two tier system.   Although the Royal Borough was not pushing for such a change, it had recognised that a number of schools in Windsor have been considering the future of the system given population growth and finances for small schools.

Across the borough, 45 schools had at least one highly feasible or feasible option for expansion.  If the recommendations in the report were approved then all the studies would be published on the website. 

The projected need for school places came from analysis of the birth rate and data from GP’s .  In September data would be available for projections over the next 3 to 4 years.  It was expected that there would be an increased demand for places in Maidenhead Town Centre. 

The Lead Member for Planning and Maidenhead said that this was an excellent and important piece of work.  The Borough Local Plan was due to be approved and if its implementation was to be successful then the right level of infrastructure was required and this included schools.

The Lead Member for Finance and Ascot informed that the report provided well thought out options to expand schools with feasibility studies for all schools.  It was important for residents to see options were available.  With regards to the 3 tier system in Windsor the paper provided options if there was a desire to change the system, although this would be subject to future consultation and reports.

The Lead Member reiterated that with regards to Windsor they were potential options and not decisions.  If any future proposals were to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6a

Cabinet considered the report regarding the outcome of ‘informal’ public consultation on options for new resource bases attached to schools at six sites in the Royal Borough for SEN provision.

The Deputy Chairman of Cabinet, Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Health and Mental Health informed Cabinet that consultation was carried out on proposals for sites at Dedworth Green First School/Dedworth Middle School; the Furze Platt Primary Federation; Hilltop First School; Homer First School; South Ascot Village Primary School and Wraysbury Primary School.  Ascot Village Primary School was added into the consultation following a representation from the school received during the consultation period.   

The report recommended in principle approval of four options, providing resourced base at four locations across the borough.  It also recommended that formal consultation on those options should now proceed.   Cabinet were informed that this was an important area dealing with vulnerable children that would make a difference to their education.  Capital funding for any new buildings would come from the Department for Education’s £1.227m Special Provision Capital Fund grant to the local authority.

When taking such decisions there were a couple of guiding principles that were always considered; equity of access based on demographic split and distribution and thus he was pleased to see Ascot being included.  The second principle was to ensure speed of access as every day matters for this co-hort.  It was also important to have participation in decisions.

The Director Children’s Services informed that the paper covered a lot of the technicalities of moving forward such as a more formal consultation.  The proposed basis would support those who had the academic ability to be supported at mainstream schools but currently had limited options supporting their special needs.  These resource basis would support 40 pupils.  94% of those who responded to the consultation were in favour of the bases.   The feedback was from families with children, other families and staff of schools.  Each specific proposal would need specific detailed consultation.  Ongoing support costs for the bases would come from the High Needs Block within the DSG funding and it was expected that they would reduce pressure currently on the High Needs Block.

The Deputy Leader of the Council, Resident and Leisure Services, HR, IT, Legal, Performance Management and Windsor informed that this was an excellent report that would help vulnerable children.  She asked that with regards to revenue costs would there be a reduction in transport costs and would the provision meet future need.

It was confirmed that the need would increase and these would help meet future demand.  One of the observations made was the need within mainstream school grow and thus any new school would have to include a resource base.  There would be savings when a child has to be sent to specialist provision outside the borough.  There would be a small opportunity to make savings regards to transport but this would be small and was not the driving force. 

The Lead Member for Finance and Ascot informed that this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6b

To consider passing the following resolution:-

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion takes place on items 8-9 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1-7 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act"

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That under Section 100(A)(4) od the Local Government Act 1972, the public were excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion took place on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 3 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider the Part II minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 30 July 2020.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Part II minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2020 were approved.

Cabinet noted the Part II appendix.