Issue - items at meetings - Education Capital Programme 2014/15

Extract from the proceedings of the Children & Young People Committee meeting held on the 10^th March 2014 (to follow); together with a report of the Executive Director for Children’s Services (copy attached).

(1)               That the level of available capital resources totalling £8.887 million for investment relating to education buildings financed from capital grant, revenue contributions and borrowing be noted; and

(2)               That the allocation of funding as shown in Appendices 2 and 3 to the report be agreed and included within the council’s Capital Investment Programme 2014/15.

148.1    The Executive Director for Children’s Services introduced the report which detailed the level of available capital resources allocated to the Education Capital Programme and sought approval of the programme as part of the council’s Capital Investment Programme 2014/15.  He noted that the Children & Young People Committee had received the report at its meeting on the 10^th March 2014 and an extract from the proceedings had been circulated as an addendum.  He also noted that the Government had also made an additional allocation of £24.6m for future years related to basic need which was a significant addition to the available £8.8m listed in paragraph 2.1 of the report.

148.2    Councillor Shanks welcomed the additional allocation of funding from the Government which should help to provide for the needed secondary school places across the city.

148.3    Councillor A. Norman also welcomed the additional settlement from the Government and noted that it should help to support the capital programme for schools across the city.

148.4    The Chair noted the comments and put the recommendations to the vote.

148.5    RESOLVED:

(1)         That the level of available capital resources totalling £8.887 million for investment relating to education buildings financed from capital grant, revenue contributions and borrowing be noted.

(2)         That it be agreed that the allocation of funding as shown in Appendices 2 and 3 to the report be included within the council’s Capital Investment Programme 2014/15.

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

RESOLVED – (1) That the level of available capital resources totalling £8.887 million for investment relating to education buildings financed from capital grant, revenue contributions and borrowing be noted; and

(2) That the Committee agree to allocation of funding as shown in appendices 2 and 3 and recommend this to Policy and Resources Committee on 20 March 2014 for inclusion within the  council’s Capital Investment Programme 2014/15.

71.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services detailing the proposed Education Capital Programme. The purpose of the report was to inform the Committee of the level of available capital resources allocated to this service for 2014/15, to recommend a Capital Investment Programme for 2014/15 and to allocate funding available in the capital programme under Structural Maintenance, Pupil Places and Condition Investment for 2014/15.

71.2    The Head of Education Planning and Contracts explained that previously the Committee had received a preliminary report to its January meeting with a more detailed follow up report going forward to its March meeting. This year all of the available information had been brought together as a composite report for consideration by the Committee at its March meeting. The report set out the level of resources available over the next three years. The level of funding provided represented a significant improvement on that provided the previous year in recognition of the additional resources required to provide additional number school places over the coming years. Notwithstanding that this increased level of funding would assist future planning similar funding levels would also be required for 2016/17 and beyond in order to address on-going challenges.

71.3    Details of the settlement were set out in the report and in addition to the resources identified, the Department for Education would also allocate funding for expenditure at voluntary aided schools across the city under several headings. The extent of the works to be carried out determined by the condition surveys would also form the subject of further discussions with individual schools.

71.4    Councillor Buckley referred to the proposed allocation of funding for solar panels and sought clarification regarding the process by which the allocation of this fund would be determined. Councillor Buckley wished to know whether there was commitment to rolling this programme out across all of the city’s schools and specifically whether solar panels were to be provided at the converted former police station in Holland Road, which would operate as an extension to West Hove Junior School. It was explained that a review was taking place of current projects and that works decisions would be made as a result of this review. The Chair, Councillor Shanks explained that meetings were in the process of being arranged with Friends of the Earth who would be able to give input regarding the most sustainable options available.

71.4    Councillor Pissaridou referred to the agreement that had been given (paragraph 3.30) to the necessity for the Holland Road annexe to West Hove Junior School, to become four forms of entry rather than three as originally proposed stating that she did not recall Committee authority being given for this. It was confirmed however that following the statutory consultation process the Committee had agreed at its meeting held on 14 October 2013 to expand West Hove Junior School by three forms of entry in September 2014 and four forms of entry from September 2015.

71.5    RESOLVED – (1) That the level of available capital resources totalling £8.887 million for investment relating to education buildings financed from capital grant, revenue contributions and borrowing be noted; and

(2) That the Committee agree to allocation of funding as shown in appendices 2 and 3 and recommend this to Policy and Resources Committee on 20 March 2014 for inclusion within the  council’s Capital Investment Programme 2014/15.