Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr Laura Mayes.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Cabinet (Capital Assets) Committee meeting held on 21 January 2014.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2014.

There were no leader’s announcements.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public. This meeting is open to the public, who may ask a question or make a statement. Written notice of questions or statements should be given to Yamina Rhouati of Democratic Services by 12.00 noon on  Thursday 13 March 2014. Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

It was noted that no requests for public participation had been received. The Leader did however explain that, as usual at meetings of Cabinet, she would be more than happy to hear from any member of the public present on any of the items on the agenda.

  Report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director

Cllr Richard Gamble, Portfolio holder for schools, skills and youth presented a report which explained proposals for expanding school provision, enabling the Council to meet it’s statutory duty to secure sufficient school places.

He highlighted the acceleration of activity in permanent places already completed shown in table 1, and drew attention to the provision for over 200 places at Wellington Academy in addition to those detailed in table 3 of the report.

He noted that the school places proposals did not include the requirements of the rebasing programme, estimated at 1000 to 1500 more than provided. Discussions were currently underway with the government on how these will be funded and it would be the subject of a further paper to the Committee.

In response to questions on the military timescale it was explained that it could take up to three years for a school to be built, although with planning permission in place it could be built within a year. Troops were expected back by 2019, and a stretch target had been given of 2018. The consultation on service family accommodation was due to be completed on 1 April 2014, after which negotiations would start, however confirmation on funding would be needed from the government.

Attention was drawn to the dip in pupil numbers as people leave prior to families coming in and Cllr Gamble confirmed that discussions were being held with the Department of Education on revenue funding.

Clarification was sought on the 420 places at Tidworth NEQ New School seen in table 2. It was highlighted that Cabinet approval for a two form instead of one was due to rebasing need and therefore half should not be funded through basic need. It was explained that the only money available was through basic need and a retrospective claim would be made to the Ministry of Defence.

The lack of growth in the north of the county was noted, and it was explained that reviews were currently underway in the Chippenham and Devizes areas. School transport would be considered as part of these reviews.

Resolved:

That the Committee:

i.              Authorises the Corporate Director for Children’s Services to invite and evaluate tenders for the projects described in the report, and, following consultation with the cabinet member, to award the contract for the project (subject to approval of any necessary statutory proposals)

ii.            Authorises the Corporate Director for Children’s Services to consult further with primary schools across core strategy growth areas in Wiltshire and relevant interested parties on options for expansion, and where appropriate publish Statutory Proposals for expansion (in line with the schools capital programme described in this report ); and

iii.           Authorises the Corporate Director for Children Services to seek all necessary planning and statutory consents and approvals for the works and land transfers described in this report.

iv.           Authorises the Corporate Director for Children Services to develop plans to balance the budget by seeking further funding streams to support the provision of sufficient secondary places arising from both civilian  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

There were no urgent items.

This is to give further notice in accordance with paragraph 5 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 of the intention to take the following item in private.

To consider passing the following resolution:

To agree that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the business specified in Item Number 9 because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in  paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

Reason for taking item in private:

Paragraph 3 - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Resolved

To agree that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the following items of business because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

Reason for taking the item in private:

Paragraph 3 – information relating to the financial information or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

No representations have been received as to why this item should not be held in private.

  To consider the Appendix referred to in the report at item 6 above.

The committee noted the appendix to the report.