Agenda item

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement)

The report sets out the results of consultations with stakeholders about the expansion of a number of primary school. Stockport continues working to meet the continued rising demand for primary school places. A number of schools for which permanent expansions are proposed must be determined under the School Organisation Regulations. Statutory consultation has therefore been undertaken to seek the views of the parties affected by the proposals. Across the three schools, 169 responses have been received. Similar to other recent school expansion consultations, the majority of feedback is from residents local to each school and includes concerns regarding traffic congestion and parking implications. Details are contained in the report and appendices.

The Executive is requested to:

1.    Consider the outcomes of the consultation exercise.

2.    Approve the publication of statutory notices for the proposed expansion of the following schools:

From September 2015

·           Arden Primary School to 3 forms of entry

·           Greave Primary School to 1.5 forms of entry

·           St Elisabeth’s CE Primary School to 1.5 forms of entry

3.    Approve delegation of the final decisions to the Corporate Director, Services to People, in consultation with the Executive Councillor, Lifelong Learning and Achievement, subject to there being no significant objections during the representation period following publication of the statutory proposals.

Officer contact: Stephen Bell, 0161 474 3846, Stephen.bell@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to

consider the permanent expansion of a number of primary schools to meet the continued rising demand for primary school places. The report set out the results of the consultations carried out with schools, parents and the local community about the proposals.

The Executive Councillor emphasised that the results of the extensive consultation had been supportive of the proposals although concerns had been raised about the impact on traffic, and that she had asked officers to investigation measures to alleviate any potential problems.

RESOLVED – (1) That the result of the consultations carried out in relation to the proposed expansions of Arden, Greave and St Elisabeth’s CE primary schools be noted.

(2) That approval be given for the publication of statutory notices for the proposed expansion of the following schools:

From September 2015

·      Arden Primary School to 3 forms of entry

·      Greave Primary School to 1.5 forms of entry

·      St Elisabeth’s CE Primary School to 1.5 forms of entry

(3) That the final decisions on the school expansions be delegated to the Corporate Director for People, in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement), subject to there being no significant objections during the representation period following publication of the statutory proposals.