Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the open meeting held on 19 December 2017 be confirmed as a correct record.

Councillor Mallory declared a personal non pecuniary interest in item 3 as a Governor of Abbey Manor College.

Revocation of decision to expand Addey and Stanhope School – Permission to Consult (publication and representation)

The Executive Director for Children and Young People introduced the report.

The Chair said he heard the borough does not now need increased secondary school places, and asked the Executive Director to clarify this.

The Executive Director for Children and Young People explained that Lewisham did not need a new secondary school for 2018, but for 2022 the borough would need additional secondary school places. She added that there were several factors that led to this change; free school, secondary schools expansions in neighbouring boroughs, decreasing numbers of primary school entrants, which could partly be because of Brexit, and economic changes.

The Chair requested a summary of the secondary schools projection in Lewisham for Business Panel Members. He stated that the Council was approaching a new Administration, and as yet no new secondary school had been delivered. In response to Councillor Sorba as to whether the proposal for a Church of England Free School was still active, it was noted that discussions were ongoing, but no site had been identified for the school as yet, and also demand was not as previously expected.

Monsignor Rothon said although officers now thought that the need for places would be in 2022, would they continue to review the figures as they seemed to be constantly changing. He also stated that £7.8m might not be sufficient to build a school, and raised his concern that this money might not be ring-fenced but used in smaller projects. Panel members were assured that the situation would be kept under review and as the money was from Basic Need Capital it would only be used for providing additional school places. 

Action >>>>>> ED CYP

The Chair said as the Council was coming to the end of the current   Administration it might be a good time for officers to produce a scoping paper about schools provision to ensure Members are informed when the new Administration start. The Executive Director for Children and Young People explained that in March 2017 Mayor and Cabinet approved a 5 year school places planning strategy, and this would be reviewed annually. She said a report would be done for the Children and Young People Select Committee as soon as possible in the Summer Term. The Chair suggested a report to CYP Select Committee in September 2018.

Action >>>>>> ED CYP

Councillor Mallory asked whether the Basic Need Capital could be used for extra places in alternative provision, and was told it was only for mainstream provision, and other funding were available under Section 106 provision i.e. SEND Capital Grant and Council Capital Funds. The Chair thanked officers for the report.

RESOLVED that the decision of the Mayor be noted.

Meeting ended: 7:20pm                                                     Chair ………….