Issue - meetings

To brief the Cabinet on capital funding levels and agree priority projects for inclusion in the 2012/13 Children’s Services capital programme

Councillor Charles Gerrish made an ad hoc statement as a Governor of Three Ways School.  He felt that the proposals had left it very tight for completion of the works in time for the new school year in September.  The planning application had only been submitted 3 weeks earlier.  He asked Cabinet for an assurance that the work would be completed before the new term, even if it required extra funds to make that happen.

Councillor Nathan Hartley in proposing the item, said investment into schools and education was essential.  He was determined that decisions such as this would be made in public.  He referred to the list of capital projects listed in the appendix, and particularly to the new projects at Three Ways School (traffic management scheme) and at Margaret Coates Autistic Centre (extension).  He thanked Councillor Gerrish for alerting him to the timing issue at Three Ways and promised to look at what could be done to optimise the schedule.

Councillor Simon Allen seconded the proposal.  He was delighted that autistic provision was to be enhanced by the extension at Margaret Coates, and that the traffic management scheme at Three Ways would improve the safety of children on their way to school.

Councillor David Bellotti said he was pleased to see the proposals but wished to move an amendment to the effect that Cabinet would ask officers to investigate alternative means of supporting the Parish Council in its aim of keeping Paulton pool open, and that Cabinet would provisionally allocate a budget of up to £10K subject to the results of the investigations.

The amendment was accepted by the proposer and seconder of the main motion.

On a motion from Councillor Nathan Hartley, seconded by Councillor Simon Allen, it was

RESOLVED (5 in favour, 1 abstaining)

(1) To AGREE that the projects put forward for approval are in line with Children’s Services capital programme priorities;

(2) To APPROVE a capital allocation of £107,000 for inclusion in the 2012/13 Capital Programme from Capital Maintenance funding to enable essential traffic management works to be carried out at Three Ways special school;

(3) To APPROVE a capital allocation of £150,000 for inclusion in the 2012/13 Capital Programme from Basic Need funding for the provision of additional places for autistic pupils at the Margaret Coates Centre; and

(4) To REQUEST officers to fully investigate alternative means of supporting the Parish Council in its aim of keeping Paulton pool open, and provisionally to allocate a budget of up to £10K subject to the results of the investigations.

[Note: Clause (4) above was an amendment proposed by Councillor David Bellotti and accepted by the proposer and seconder of the main motion].