Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/046

Contact: Diane Cameron, School Organisation Officer Tel: (01865) 816445

Report by Director for Children’s Services & the Governing Body (CA12).

In July 2012, Cabinet approved the proposal for St Edburg's CE (VA) Primary School in Bicester to alter its age range in order to establish a Nursery class. The alteration is linked to the future relocation and expansion of the school to a new building in the Kingsmere housing development.

The relocation of the school is delayed and so the original implementation date cannot be met and must be postponed until the school is in its new building. Under the Guidance that the original approval was given, a change of implementation date must be approved by the same Decision Maker (Cabinet). This is the reason for this report going before Cabinet.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the modification to the implementation date of the approved alteration of age range at Edburg’s CE (A) Primary School, Bicester. 

Recommendations agreed together with agreement that future alteration of age ranges and similar proposals on school organisation be determined by the Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families at delegated decision making sessions rather than Cabinet unless exceptional circumstances unless there are exceptional circumstances.

In July 2012, Cabinet approved the proposal for St Edburg's CE (VA) Primary School in Bicester to alter its age range in order to establish a Nursery class. The alteration is linked to the future relocation and expansion of the school to a new building in the Kingsmere housing development.

The relocation of the school is delayed and so the original implementation date cannot be met and must be postponed until the school is in its new building. Under the Guidance that the original approval was given, a change of implementation date must be approved by the same Decision Maker (Cabinet). Cabinet had before them a report seeking approval of the modified implementation date.

Michael Waine, speaking as a local councillor commented that he had worked with the school on the project since its inception. He was aware of the problems that had beset it and in supporting the project he asked that every effort be taken to expedite matters to ensure the school was ready for September 2015.

Councillor Tilley in moving the recommendation proposed that in future such procedural reports come to her delegated decision making meetings rather than Cabinet unless there were exceptional circumstances.

RESOLVED:           to:

(a)            approve the modification to the implementation date of the approved alteration of age range at Edburg’s CE (A) Primary School, Bicester; and

(b)            agree that future alteration of age ranges and similar proposals on school organisation be determined by the Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families at delegated decision making sessions rather than Cabinet unless there are exceptional circumstances.