Issue - meetings

To note the status of academy conversions across Cheshire East Schools.

The committee received the report which summarised recently converted schools and those in process to ensure Committee Members were fully briefed on the status of ongoing conversions.

RESOLVED –

That the report be received and noted.

To consider and approve school capital/organisation plans.

The committee considered the report on the academisation of Middlewich High School which, due to the third-party interests in land which formed the school’s site and the resulting land transactions, fell outside the officer delegations and required a Committee decision.

Concerns were raised about the length of the Underlease of Middlewich Leisure Centre and the risks this may present to both parties. It was agreed that further discussions regarding the Underlease would take place post-conversion with the Director, colleagues from the Place directorate and any other relevant parties.

RESOLVED –

That the committee:

1. Notes that Middlewich High School, King Edward Street, Middlewich CW10 9BU, will be converting to Academy status on or after 1 November 2021 as per the Department for Education (DfE) Academy Order (see Appendix 1).
2. Notes that Middlewich High School will become part of the Multi Academy Trust (MAT), The Sir John Brunner Foundation.
3. Authorises the completion of a Commercial Transfer Agreement to the Sir John Brunner Foundation relating to the transfer of all staff under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006, and assets to the Foundation.
4. Authorises the Executive Director of Children’s Services in consultation with Chief Finance Officer and Monitoring Officer to take all steps necessary to agree and execute the Commercial Transfer Agreement.
5. Authorises the grant and completion of all transactions in relation to land, facilities or shared use agreements as are necessary in order to facilitate the conversion, including (but not limited to) the grant and completion of a lease to the Sir John Brunner Foundation for 125 years substantially in the form of the model lease produced by DfE at a peppercorn rent. The school site is identifiable as shown on the accompanying redline plan (see Appendix 2).
6. Authorise the Executive Director of Place and Chief Finance Officer to take the steps necessary to agree the required transactions in relation to land, facilities or shared use agreements to enable the Transfer, in line with the agreed heads of terms.
7. Notes that the Chief Finance Officer has authority to take all steps necessary to agree, transfer and adjust relevant budgets and allocate balances in accordance with Department for Education Guidance.