Issue - items at meetings - Proposed Expansion of Primary Schools

Report of the Director of Children’s Services (copy attached).

1.       That it be agreed that the CYPT move to the initial consultation process regarding the proposal to permanently expand Goldstone and Westdene Primary Schools by one form of entry and Queens Park Primary by half a form of entry with effect from September 2011.

37.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services concerning the proposed expansions of Goldstone, Westdene and Queens Park Primary schools. The report set out the consultation that had been undertaken with the schools and their governing bodies following the Cabinet Member meeting held on 5 October 2009, and sought approval to undertake the next steps in the process (for copy see minute book).

37.2    The Cabinet Member clarified that the recommendation initially published in paragraph 2.1 of the report should be amended to indicate that the consultation process in relation to Queens Park Primary School would be to permanently expand the school by half form of entry and not by one form of entry as recommended in the published report.

            Officers also provided copies of the consultation document with the current and projected school numbers completed in relation to Goldstone, Westdene and Queen’s Park Primary Schools (see appendix 1 to the minutes).

37.3    The Schools Futures Project Director referred to the £5.7 million grant the city had received and noted that this funding had considerably helped with moving these proposals forward. The Project Director further advised that consultation would also be carried out with the relevant ward councillors.

37.4    The Opposition Spokesperson, Labour Group, commended the officers for the work undertaken in relation to this matter. She noted that, in face of the current situation where schools places in the Hove area were concerned, these proposals were not the whole solution; she considered, however, that they were a robust first step forward.

37.5    RESOLVED – That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report and following the clarification given in paragraph 37.2 above, the recommendation be amended as follows:

(1)       That it be agreed that the CYPT move to the initial consultation process regarding the proposal to permanently expand Goldstone and Westdene Primary Schools by one form of entry and Queens Park Primary by half a form of entry with effect from September 2011.