Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relating to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

Councillor S Corcoran spoke in respect of the expansion of Offley Primary School, Sandbach.  Whilst he was pleased at the proposed expansion from 315 to 420 pupil places he was concerned that this was 150 places short of the estimated need.  In addition, and whilst he broadly agreed with the estimates of growth used he was concerned that the numbers would be higher as developments in the area were being marketed as larger than average family houses; also estimates did not take account any successful additional speculative applications.  He asked a question regarding the need to return ring fenced funding to the Education Funding Agency in the event of expansion not being approved and an explanation was given of how this would be calculated. 

To consider the proposed expansion of Offley Primary School and publication of the statutory notice.

That authorisation be given to the publication of a statutory notices detailing the Local Authority’s proposed expansion of Offley Primary School, Sandbach from 315 to 420 pupil places for implementation from September 2015.           

Following the decision of the Cabinet Member on 2 December 2013, formal consultation had been undertaken between 10 December 2013 and 21 February 2014 on the proposed expansion of Offley Primary School, Sandbach from 315 to pupil places.

As the Strategic Commissioner of School Places the Council had a statutory duty to commission sufficient school places for children resident in its area, in accordance with Section 14 of the Education Act 1996.  Consideration was given to views expressed during the consultation and these were summarised in the report; copies of the submissions received were made available to the Cabinet Member and it was noted that of the 36 responses 34 of were in support; the 2 expressing concern related to the impact of traffic in the area.

The decision would enable the Local Authority to comply with its statutory duty to publish notices on a school expansion. The advice of the Council’s Legal and Finance Officers had been taken into account in producing the report presented to the Cabinet Member.

RESOLVED

That authorisation be given to the publication of statutory notices detailing the Local Authority’s proposed expansion of Offley Primary School, Sandbach from 315 to 420 pupil places for implementation from September 2015.    

To consider the proposed expansion of Mobberley CE Primary School and publication of the statutory notice.

That authorisation be given to the publication of statutory notices detailing the Local Authority’s proposed expansion of Mobberley CE Primary School, Knutsford from 140 to 210 pupil places for implementation from January 2015.           

Following the decision of the Cabinet Member on 27 January 2014 formal consultation had been undertaken between 4 February 2014 and 11 March 2014 on the proposed expansion of Mobberley CE Primary School, Knutsford from 140 to 210 pupil places. 

As the Strategic Commissioner of School Places the Council had a statutory duty to commission sufficient school places for children resident in its area, in accordance with Section 14 of the Education Act 1996.  Consideration was given to views expressed during the consultation and these were summarised in the report; copies of the submissions received were made available to the Cabinet Member and it was noted that of the 37 responses 33 were in support; the remaining 4 were concerned about pupil numbers in neighbouring local authorities, the effect on the local road network and on road safety and parking.

It was confirmed that the notices would be posted in a variety of places and publications and the representation period would not begin until all such requirements had been met.

The decision would enable the Local Authority to comply with its statutory duty to publish notices on a school expansion. The advice of the Council’s Legal and Finance Officers had been taken into account in producing the report presented to the Cabinet Member.

RESOLVED

That authorisation be given to the publication of statutory notices detailing the Local Authority’s proposed expansion of Mobberley CE Primary School, Knutsford from 140 to 210 pupil places for implementation from January 2015.           

To consider the proposed expansion of Manor Park School and Nursery and publication of the statutory notice.

That authorisation be given to the publication of a statutory notices detailing the Local Authority’s proposed expansion of Manor Park School and Nursery, Knutsford from 210 to 315 pupil places for implementation from September 2015.           

Following the decision of the Cabinet Member on 6 January 2014, formal consultation had been undertaken between 14 January 2014 and 11 February 2014 on the proposed expansion of Manor Park School and Nursery, Knutsford from 210 to 315 pupil places.

As the Strategic Commissioner of School Places the Council had a statutory duty to commission sufficient school places for children resident in its area, in accordance with Section 14 of the Education Act 1996.  The level of responses during the pre-publication consultation period had been very low with only 6 responses having been received; 3 of which were in support or had no view, and 3 were opposed.  With reference to the concerns in connection with attainment levels the Portfolio Holder was given a number of recent statistical comparisons with schools of a similar pupil makeup such as the percentage of pupils in receipt of free school meals, of SEN pupils, and various other markers of progress and attainment.  It was reported that in all cases the school could be favourably compared. 

The decision would enable the Local Authority to comply with its statutory duty to publish notices on a school expansion. The advice of the Council’s Legal and Finance Officers had been taken into account in producing the report presented to the Cabinet Member.

RESOLVED

That authorisation be given to the publication of statutory notices detailing the Local Authority’s proposed expansion of Manor Park School and Nursery, Knutsford from 210 to 315 pupil places for implementation from September 2015.