Issue - meetings

Following the publication of the statutory notices proposing the enlargement of Bathwick St. Mary C of E Primary School, St. Nicholas’ C of E Primary School and Whitchurch Primary School to create additional pupil places, Cabinet to consider the responses submitted during the representation period and to determine the statutory notices for these enlargements.

Councillor Dine Romero expressed her disappointment that the proposed enlargement of Bathwick St. Mary C of E Primary School would not go ahead at this time.  Councillor Dine Romero asked what would happen with the funding that developers had put aside to enable expansion of the school.

Councillor Michael Evans responded to Councillor Romero’s question that the Council had not reached that point yet.

Councillor Michael Evans moved the item by saying that recommendations 2.1 and 2.2 would stay the same though recommendation 2.3 would now read as: ‘Defer the decision in respect of the enlargement of Whitchurch Primary School from 206 to 315 places and delegate this decision to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services to determine by 15th May as a Single Member Decision.’  Councillor Michael Evans said that this would enable the Cabinet Member for Children Services to talk to parents of the Whitchurch Primary School, and take their comments on board before the final decision is made.

Councillor Michael Evans also said that the Local Authority was under a statutory duty to ensure that there were sufficient school places in their area. These places should, where possible, be provided in popular and successful schools serving the area of need in order to increase parental choice, contribute to raising educational standards and attainment and to facilitate sustainable methods of travel to school.

Councillor Tim Warren seconded the motion by saying that the Council would secure places in schools before the housing developments take place.  The Council was successive in achieving high percentage of pupils going to their first choice of school.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed:

1)  Reject the proposed enlargement of Bathwick St. Mary C of E Primary School at this time to allow further discussion around school site issues to take place with the Governing Body.

2)  Approve the enlargement of St. Nicholas’ C of E Primary School from 270 to 420 places.

3)  Defer the decision in respect of the enlargement of Whitchurch Primary School from 206 to 315 places and delegate this decision to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services to determine by 15th May as a Single Member Decision.