Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report of the Cabinet Members for Children, Family Services & Education and Resources, Commissioning & Governance.

The Council is the Strategic Commissioner of Education Provision in Stockport. This document sets out how we will carry out our responsibility, in line with the commitments made in the One Stockport Borough Plan to ensure there are sufficient places in good and improving local inclusive schools at the heart of the community that children and families want to go to. This means having the right number of school places, in the right place, at the right time to meet demand.

The school investment plan aims to set out its strategy and capital pipeline for the next 5 years, securing an education estate that provides a safe, accessible, secure and stimulating learning environment, which is sustainable and provides value for money, is fit for current and future needs and reduces environmental impact.

The Cabinet is recommended to agree the terms outlined in the strategy and the associated investment plan outlined in the Asset Management Plan.

Officer Contact: Chris Harland on 0161 474 3694 or email: christopher.harland@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Members for Children, Family Services & Education (Councillor Colin Foster) and Resources, Commissioning & Governance (Councillor Tom McGee) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a

proposed School Sufficiency Investment Plan that aimed to set out its strategy and capital pipeline for the next five years, secure an education estate that provided a safe, accessible, secure and stimulating learning environment, which was sustainable and provided value for money, was fit for current and future needs and reduced environmental impact.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the terms outlined in the strategy and the associated investment plan outlined in the Asset Management Plan.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services

The report sets out how the Council will carry out its responsibility, in line with the commitments made in the One Stockport Borough Plan, to ensure that there are sufficient school in places in good and improving local inclusive schools at the heart of the community that children and families want to go to. This means having the right number and type of school places, in the right place, at the right time to meet demand. The School Sufficiency Investment Plan aims to secure an education estate that provides a safe, accessible, secure and stimulating learning environment, which id sustainable and provides value for money, is fit for current and future needs, and reduces environmental impact.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer Contact: Chris Harland on 0161 474 3694 or email: christopher.harland@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out how the Council would carry out its responsibility, in line with the commitments made in the One Stockport Borough Plan, to ensure that there were sufficient school in places in good and improving local inclusive schools at the heart of the community that children and families want to go to. This meant having the right number

and type of school places, in the right place, at the right time to meet demand. The School Sufficiency Investment Plan aims to secure an education estate that provides a safe, accessible, secure and stimulating learning environment, which was sustainable and provided value for money, was fit for current and future needs, and reduces environmental impact.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services and Education (Councillor Colin Foster) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

Members expressed their concerns with the underspend relating to the last 5 years and the major works that had not been undertaken e.g. replacing windows, distribution piping, lighting, new fire alarm system and fixed wiring.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services

The report sets out how the Council will carry out its responsibility, in line with the commitments made in the One Stockport Borough Plan, to ensure that there are sufficient school in places in good and improving local inclusive schools at the heart of the community that children and families want to go to. This means having the right number and type of school places, in the right place, at the right time to meet demand. The School Sufficiency Investment Plan aims to secure an education estate that provides a safe, accessible, secure and stimulating learning environment, which id sustainable and provides value for money, is fit for current and future needs, and reduces environmental impact.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer Contact: Chris Harland on 0161 474 3694 or email: christopher.harland@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out how the Council would carry out its responsibility, in line with the commitments made in the One Stockport Borough Plan, to ensure that there were sufficient school places in good and improving local inclusive schools at the heart of the community that children and families wanted to go to. This meant having the right number and type of school places, in the right place, at the right time to meet demand. The School Sufficiency Plan aimed to secure an education estate that provided a safe, accessible, secure and stimulating learning environment, which was sustainable and provided value for money, was fit for current and future needs, and reduced environmental impact.

The Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance (Councillor Tom McGee) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         There was a balance between resourced schools and special schools, and arriving at the right balance of resourced school places and specialist school places was important. Officers were requested to involve Ward Members at an early stage in the planning.

·         The standard of specialist schools in Stockport was commended.

·         Young people’s needs were becoming increasingly complex making forward planning of paramount importance.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.