Decision details

The Plan outlines the current level of school provision, detailed pupil projections up to 2017 and outline pupil numbers up to 2029. Estimates of the number of places likely to be required and how and where these might be provided are also included

(1) To APPROVE the proposed strategy for the provision of school places within the 2013 – 2017 plan period; and

(2) To APPROVE the proposed strategy for the provision of school places over the longer term within the Core Strategy plan period.

The Local Authority still retains the legal responsibility for pupil place planning in its area. In order to do this effectively the Local Authority must identify where new school places will be required as a result of underlying population growth or pupils generated from new housing development, how much additional provision is required and when. This additional provision might be provided via Basic Need funding from the Government or Developer Contributions as a result of new housing developments or sometimes a combination of the two.

There is currently already pressure on primary school places in some parts of the Authority and also projected to be a shortfall in places in some areas in the future and the Authority must plan for the additional provision that is needed. The Plan will serve as a useful planning tool to identify areas and levels of need, when investment in places will be needed and also to inform discussions with Developers.

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