Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder considered the report of the Strategic Director, Children, Families and Adults.

Following the decision of the Cabinet Member on 15^th October 2012 , formal consultation on the proposed expansion of Pebble Brook Primary School, Crewe, Wheelock Primary School, Sandbach and Mobberley CE Primary School,  Knutsford was undertaken between 22^nd October 2012 and 23^rd November 2012.

The report set out the outcomes of the consultation received to date. Responses received since the report was published were reported orally at the meeting. The Equality Impact Assessments for all three schools were being updated to take into account consultation feedback. Updated versions of the report, consultation responses and Equality Impact Assessments  would be published on the Council’s website.

It was noted that in the case of Wheelock Primary School, 265 consultation responses had been received, 133 of which were against the expansion proposal.

The Portfolio Holder commented that she had done everything she could to ensure that the process was transparent and open. She had visited Wheelock Primary School the previous week and would be visiting Offley Primary School that evening. She welcomed all the comments that had been received during the consultation period.

In view of additional information and comments received during the consultation period, the Portfolio Holder was minded to defer a decision on Wheelock Primary School to enable her to give further consideration to the matter. A further meeting would be arranged for two weeks’ time and local schools would be notified.

Councillor Peter Nurse attended the meeting and, at the invitation of the Portfolio Holder, spoke on this matter.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services

(1)  authorises the publication of statutory notices detailing the Local Authority’s proposals for the expansion of:

·         Pebble Brook Primary, from the 210 school places (1FE) to 315 school places (1.5 FE) thus providing an additional 105 school places with effect from September 2013.

·        Mobberley CE Primary from the current Published Admission Number (20) providing 140 school places to a PAN of 30 (1FE) thus providing an additional 70 school places with effect from September 2013.

(2)  defers a decision on Wheelock Primary School for up to two weeks to enable further consideration to be given to additional information and comments received during the consultation period.