Issue - meetings

Edward Feild Nursery School - Proposal to Close and Provide Alternative Early Years Provision

 

 

Meeting: 17/09/2013 - Cabinet (Item 103)

103 Edward Feild Nursery School - Proposal to Close and Provide Alternative Early Years Provision pdf icon PDF 126 KB

Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/091

Contact: Debbie Rouget, Early Years & Childcare Sufficiency & Access Manager Tel: (01865) 810617

 

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA11).

 

The Headteacher and Governors of Edward Feild Nursery School have proposed closure of the Nursery and reprovision of alternative high quality early years places on the same site by expansion of the playgroup. A Stage 1 consultation was carried out in April 2013 which resulted in one objection to the proposal. After careful consideration of the issue raised, the lead officer recommended to Cabinet on 21 May 2013 that a Statutory Notice for the proposed closure should be published. This was agreed by Cabinet and the notice was published on 11 June. During the 6 week statutory period for representations, one objection was received. As a result of this, the final Decision on whether to close Edward Feild Nursery School must be made by the Cabinet.

 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the closure of Edward Feild Nursery school with effect from 31 December 2013 subject to the following conditions:-

·                    That a lease for Robin Playgroup’s use of the school premises be in place by the Nursery closure date.

·                    That as long as Edward Feild Primary School remains a maintained school the authority will retain an arbitration role to ensure that the lease remains equitable and sustainable for both parties.

·                    That any surplus in the Edward Feild Nursery School budget at closure is transferred to the Edward Feild Primary School budget and that the funds be spent to maintain or improve the parts of the premises occupied by or shared with the Robin Playgroup.

·                    The Nursery is to transfer any resources bought for nursery age children from public funds to Robin Playgroup without charge.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Headteacher and Governors of Edward Feild Nursery School have proposed closure of the Nursery and re-provision of alternative high quality early years places on the same site by expansion of the playgroup. A Stage 1 consultation was carried out in April 2013 which resulted in one objection to the proposal. Cabinet on 21 May 2013 agreed that a Statutory Notice for the proposed closure should be published. During the 6 week statutory period for representations, one objection was received and Cabinet considered a report asking them to determine whether to agree the closure of Edward Feild Nursery School.

 

RESOLVED:             to approve the closure of Edward Feild Nursery School with effect from 31 December 2013 subject to the following conditions:-

·                     That a lease for Robin Playgroup’s use of the school premises be in place by the Nursery closure date.

·                     That as long as Edward Feild Primary School remains a maintained school the authority will retain an arbitration role to ensure that the lease remains equitable and sustainable for both parties.

·                     That any surplus in the Edward Feild Nursery School budget at closure is transferred to the Edward Feild Primary School budget and that the funds be spent to maintain or improve the parts of the premises occupied by or shared with the Robin Playgroup.

·                     The Nursery is to transfer any resources bought for nursery age children from public funds to Robin Playgroup without charge.