Decision details

To seek additional Cabinet approval to draw down and spend funds from the £48.3m capital allocation in the Aspire & Achieve, Strategic Priorities section of the Capital Plan, to enable further progress with the rebuild of two special schools.

Background Papers

5 October 2021 Kirklees Council Cabinet Report

Capital investment and rebuild of 2 Special Schools

March 2024 Kirklees Safety Valve Agreement

Dedicated Schools Grant ‘Safety Valve’ Agreement: Kirklees

SEND The Big Plan

https://www.kirkleeslocaloffer.org.uk/media/sdgdbonx/final-the-big-plan-refresh-of-send-strategy-oct23.pdf

12 March 2024 Kirklees Council Cabinet Report

Increasing special school places for children with complex autism at Woodley School & College - final decision

Engagement Process

There is continued engagement with the senior leadership teams at both Woodley School and College, and Joseph Norton Academy. 

Pupils from both schools have been engaged in a programme of consultation about what is important to them in their new school buildings.

Senior managers regularly engage with PCAN (Parents of Children with Additional Needs).  PCAN is the parent-led forum for all parents and carers of children and young people (aged 0-25 years) with additional needs in Kirklees. 

Ward members for the proposed new sites have been briefed at major milestones.

Consultation Process

A six-week pre-planning consultation took place for the Joseph Norton Academy rebuild between 12 June 2023 and 23 July 2023 with key stakeholders.  Following the consultation, a Statement of Community Consultation was produced. 

A six-week pre-planning consultation is planned for the Woodley School and College rebuild commenced 7 May 2024 with key stakeholders. A Statement of Community Consultation will be produced following the consultation.

RESOLVED –

1)    That approval be given for the draw down of capital funds as outlined in Appendix 4 of the considered report to enable the appointment of a building contractor to construct a new build 132 place SEMH school on the former Deighton centre site, Deighton Road, Huddersfield.

2)    That approval be given to the draw down of capital funds as outlined in Appendix 4 to enable the appointment of a specialist contractor to undertake the site clearance of all buildings on the former high school site on Fernside Avenue, Almondbury, Huddersfield.

3)    That approval be given to the draw down of capital funds to facilitate the settlement of the exit of the former school site on Fernside Avenue from the PPP1 contract as detailed in Appendix 4.

4)    That the allocation of government grant for High Needs Provision from the Department for Education (DfE) of £7,056m for Financial Year 2024/25, and which may be used as a contribution towards the budget for the two new build schools, be noted.

5)    That to enable the delivery of the schemes without returning to Cabinet, the delegated powers contained in the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules (FPRs) 3.9-3.12, dated June 2024, may be used to:

(i)            Transfer resources within a programme area without restrictions.

(ii)          Transfer resources between any project or programme area up to a maximum of £2m in any financial year.

(iii)         Transfer resources within programme areas between any year within the approved capital plan, subject to compliance with FPRs 3.9 - 3.12 and notification to the relevant Cabinet Member and appropriate Ward Members.

6)    That it be noted, approval to tender and award a contract for the new build school will be sought in late 2024 once detailed design of the new Woodley School and College had occurred, and a pre-tender estimate had been calculated.