Agenda item

(a)  That the Thomas Grey building be disposed to Haybrook College under a standard Academy 125 lease to relocate and expand the Key Stage 3 facility currently housed in the Rotunda building.

(b)  That a budget of £1.2m be allocated for the refurbishment of the Thomas Grey building, including a new replacement heating system and roof upgrade which also improves buildings now leased to Littledown School.

(c)  That the former Rotunda site on Belfast Ave be appropriated from the General Fund (Education) to the HRA for a sum to be determined by the District Valuer.

(d)  That around 33% of the vacant Haymill site be disposed to Haybrook College under a standard Academy 125 lease at a peppercorn rent and allocate £3.6m of capital funding to build a small extension and a new Hospitality and Catering facility that will add up to 10 additional SEN places and 40 additional PRU places.

(e)  That £13m be allocated to build the new SEN units at Priory School and Marish Academy and to build a new annex on the current Arbour Vale School site, with all 3 projects being delivered by Slough Urban Renewal.

(f)  That £150k be invested for further refurbishment works at 323 High Street as part of the lease arrangements with Haybrook College, which will be for a 9 year period with a rental income of £35k per annum.

(g)  That the refurbishment works in the Thomas Grey building, the extension and the Hospitality and Catering facility for Haybrook College, Priory SEN unit, Marish SEN unit and Arbour Vale annex using £8.25m of Basic Need grant funding and £10.5m of council borrowing be agreed.

(h)  That the St Anthony’s field (held in the General Fund for Education) be appropriated to the HRA and in return agree to dispose of the land in front of Arbour Vale School (from the HRA) to facilitate the expansion of Arbour Vale School.

The Commissioner for Education and Children’s Services and the Interim Director of Children’s Services introduced a report on the demand for Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) places, which sought approval for the capital funding to undertake the next phase of projects to create 203 new SEN and PRU places over 3 years.

The key proposals were summarised which included 100 more places through the expansion of Haybrook College; the relocation of services from the Rotunda building to the Thomas Grey Building; the appropriation of land at the former Rotunda site on Belfast Avenue to the Housing Revenue Account; the development of a hospitality and catering facility with Haybrook College on the Haymill site; and the allocation of capital to build new SEN units at Priory School and Marish Academy and a new annex of the current Arbour Vale School site.  The Cabinet recognised that the provision of additional places was important both to meet rising demand as the school population increased and to reduce placement and transport costs of out of borough placements. 

(Councillor Sohal left the meeting)

Speaking under Rule 30, Councillors Wright and Strutton welcomed the proposals for Haybrook College, and the increase in much needed SEN provision more generally, however, concern was expressed about the adequacy of the access road and the maintenance of the boundaries of the site.  The importance of ensuring the site was safe and secure for both educational users and local residents was emphasised.  The Commissioner and Officers acknowledged the practical issues raised by the Ward Members and indicated that they would be taken on board as the detailed plans were progressed.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Cabinet agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

Resolved –

(a)  That the Thomas Grey building be disposed to Haybrook College under a standard Academy 125 lease to relocate and expand the Key Stage 3 facility currently housed in the Rotunda building.

(b)  That a budget of £1.2m be allocated for the refurbishment of the Thomas Grey building, including a new replacement heating system and roof upgrade which also improves buildings now leased to Littledown School.

(c)  That the former Rotunda site on Belfast Ave be appropriated from the General Fund (Education) to the HRA for a sum to be determined by the District Valuer.

(d)  That around 33% of the vacant Haymill site be disposed to Haybrook College under a standard Academy 125 lease at a peppercorn rent and allocate £3.6m of capital funding to build a small extension and a new Hospitality and Catering facility that will add up to 10 additional SEN places and 40 additional PRU places.

(e)  That £13m be allocated to build the new SEN units at Priory School and Marish Academy and to build a new annex on the current Arbour Vale School site, with all 3 projects being delivered by Slough Urban Renewal.

(f)  That £150k be invested for further refurbishment works at 323 High Street as part of the lease arrangements with Haybrook College, which will be for a 9 year period with a rental income of £35k per annum.

(g)  That the refurbishment works in the Thomas Grey building, the extension and the Hospitality and Catering facility for Haybrook College, Priory SEN unit, Marish SEN unit and Arbour Vale annex using £8.25m of Basic Need grant funding and £10.5m of council borrowing be agreed.

(h)  That the St Anthony’s field (held in the General Fund for Education) be appropriated to the HRA and in return agree to dispose of the land in front of Arbour Vale School (from the HRA) to facilitate the expansion of Arbour Vale School.