Agenda item

 Report by Corporate Director Terence Herbert

Councillor Laura Mayes presented the report which provided relevant information for the Cabinet to make a fully informed decision on whether or not to issue the relevant statutory notice of a closure proposal in relation to Corsham Lypiatt Primary School. The report also provided details of stakeholder responses received by the Council during the consultation conducted between 12th June and 25th July 2018.

The Leader welcomed Carolyn Atkins, Headteacher of Lypiatt Primary School, who spoke about the proposed closure of the school.  The Headteacher commented on the uniqueness of the school, the problems caused by lack of funding and falling pupil numbers, the need to offer pupils some stability, especially those moving to the UK for the first time, and acceptance that the school would close.  The main issue of concern for the Headteacher related to when the closure of the school would take place and she expressed a preference for the end of the academic year 2018/19.

Councillor Ruth Hopkinson expressed her support for and gratitude to the Headteacher for the incredible work undertaken at the school and comments made at the meeting. Councillor Hopkinson reported that she had spent many hours at the school over the years and the Headteacher and staff had generated a unique and inclusive atmosphere.

Councillor Mayes explained that the school is located on the site of the Services Cotswold Centre near Corsham. The Centre provided secure and affordable temporary housing for Service families in need of short term accommodation. The numbers of children attending the school had traditionally been low and currently 27 pupils attended the school.

The main areas of concern to school staff, governors and the Council related to the financial viability of the school. The report detailed how the school was currently funded through a local funding formula and indicated that confirmation had been received from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) that no further grant funding support was available to the school. In the absence of further support, the cabinet noted that the school would have an in-year deficit of £106,000 in 2018/19, rising to £180,000 by 2021/22, with a cumulative deficit of £540,000 by 2021/22.

During a recent pre-statutory consultation which sought viable alternatives to closure, the MOD re-established the Education Support Fund for a limited period. Unfortunately, the bid for additional funding for the school was unsuccessful. 

Councillor Mayes explained that, due to the lack of available funding, unfortunately the school would close with effect from 31^st April 2019, however, if additional funding was available, then ideally the closure should take place at the end of the academic year 2018/19 or later in order to minimise disruption to pupils. She also explained that local stakeholders would be consulted about the appropriate mechanisms to be put in place to support pupils transition to their new schools.

The Leader explained that the preferred option would be for the school to remain open until the end of the academic year, that discussions about the funding issues would continue with the MOD and transfer of knowledge to the pupil’s new schools.

The Cabinet heard from Councillor John Hubbard, Chairman of the Children’s Select Committee, who reported that he and Councillor Mary Douglas had received a briefing note about the school closure and a copy of the consultation. They concluded that no further scrutiny activity was required and Councillor Hubbard explained that the closure of the school was the most sensible option, the main concern related to when the closure would take place.

Resolved

i)             To note the feedback received from the pre-statutory consultation conducted in June and July 2018.

ii)            To approve the issue of statutory notice of a proposal to discontinue Corsham Lypiatt Primary School with effect from 31st April 2019 or later if additional funding is secured from the Education Support Fund.

iii)          To note that, following its approval of a statutory notice being issued, there will be a further four week statutory period for representations on that proposal and that a final decision as to whether or not the school will be closed will be required. It is anticipated that this decision will come to Cabinet in December 2018.

iv)          That officers commence consultation with local stakeholders about the appropriate mechanisms to be put in place to support pupils transition to their new schools.

Reason for Decision:

Given the size of the forecast deficit and the absence of sustainable additional

funding, the only viable long term option is to close the school.