Issue - meetings

The Council has a statutory duty to secure sufficient schools are available for their area to provide primary and secondary education. The Primary and Secondary School Organisation Plan 2017 – 2021 at Appendix 1 (the Plan) covers in detail the current level of primary and secondary school provision in the Authority and detailed projected pupil numbers over the next four years up to admissions in September 2021 based on births and resident population data.

Estimated pupil numbers as a consequence of the future planned housing development expected to be delivered within the Adopted Core Strategy and Placemaking Plan period up to 2029 and the emerging Local Plan period up to 2036 are also outlined. Estimates for the number of school places likely to be required as a result and proposals as to how and where these might be provided are also included.

Councillor Dine Romero made an ad-hoc statement where she expressed her concerns with the report; in particular that some longstanding issues in the South West of Bath were still not considered.  Councillor Romero also said that only St Martins School would have an increase in places for children from the Foxhill regeneration development.  Councillor Romero concluded her statement by expressing concern on the lack of secondary school places for children from South West of Bath due to the closure of BCA School and that some children would have to travel over 3 miles to get to allocated schools.

Councillor Paul Crossley made an ad-hoc statement and also expressed his concern with the report as he felt that the paper did not reference an increase of population in Bath and North East Somerset.  Councillor Crossley felt that parents of children living in South West Bath were discriminated in relation to their choice of schools, especially those parents who were on lower income scale.  Councillor Crossley concluded his statement by asking the Cabinet to send this report back to officers for further work on these matters.

Councillor Tim Ball made an ad-hoc statement by expressing his concern that children from South West Bath, who were with special educational needs, would have to travel long distances to the school with SEN provision.  Councillor Ball also asked the Cabinet to send this report back to officers for further work on these issues.

Councillor Will Sandry made an ad-hoc statement where he also expressed concern on the report.  Councillor Sandry felt that it was not appropriate to put all of the children from South West of Bath in Bath schools since the BCA closure.  Councillor Sandry also said that such move would affect children’s travel and education.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson made an ad-hoc statement where she questioned estimated figures of new children arriving in Radstock and Westfield area as a result of new housing provision on previous railway land.  Councillor Jackson also expressed her concern that academies would not take as many children as expected.

Councillor Paul May introduced the report by saying that this report had been seen by the Children and Young People PDS Panel before coming to the Cabinet, with the reflection on a need to sufficient school places in Bath and North East Somerset.  Councillor May responded to concerns raised at the meeting in terms of placement of children from South West Bath into St Marks School by saying that the school was a good school with a provision of good and quality education.

Councillor May also said that should future proposed new housing development identified in the Local Plan in a particular area be projected to result in a shortfall of primary school places, the Authority would apply CIL funding or seek S106 Developer Contributions to provide additional school places. These places would likely to be delivered via the expansion of existing schools, with the exception of proposed new housing in Keynsham and Whitchurch, where whole new schools would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 196

The Primary and Secondary School Organisation Plan 2017 – 2021 at Appendix 1 covers in detail the current level of primary and secondary school provision in the Authority and detailed projected pupil numbers over the next four years up to admissions in September 2021 based on births and resident population data.

The School Organisation Manager introduced this item to the Panel. She explained that the Council has a statutory duty to secure sufficient schools are available for their area to provide primary and secondary education. She stated that the Primary and Secondary School Organisation Plan 2017 – 2021 covers in detail the current level of primary and secondary school provision in the Authority and detailed projected pupil numbers over the next four years up to admissions in September 2021 based on births and resident population data.

She added that estimated pupil numbers as a consequence of the future planned housing development expected to be delivered within the Adopted Core Strategy and Placemaking Plan period up to 2029 and the emerging Local Plan period up to 2036 are also outlined. She said that estimates for the number of school places likely to be required as a result and proposals as to how and where these might be provided are also included.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented on the thoroughness of the report and asked if meeting future need is based on displacing pupils from outside the area.

The School Organisation Manager replied that the needs of pupils within the Chew Valley / Bishop Sutton may change but that this is expected to be a gradual process. She added that an assessment will also be carried out of the five preference system.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien asked how proposals referenced in the Joint Strategic Plan, the relocation of the Brislington Park & Ride and subsequent building of homes on what would be the former P&R site would affect B&NES.

The School Organisation Manager replied that our plan has been shared with neighbouring authorities and that it was the responsibility of Bristol to house their pupils.

Councillor Paul May asked if there was a timescale in relation to the provision of a further Special School.

The Strategic Director for People & Communities replied that this did not form part of the published plan. He added that the Panel could receive a future report on the projection of needs and associated special school places.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson asked if further information was available on the issue of the increase in Home Schooling.

The Divisional Director for Safeguarding & Social Care replied that this was a growing national issue and that a report on Elective Home Education was debated recently at the Council’s LSCB. He added that work was planned to take place with schools on this matter before reporting back to the LSCB in September.

The Chair asked that a report be added to the Panel’s workplan.

The Panel RESOLVED to:

i)  Note the proposed strategy for the provision of school places within the 2017 – 2021 plan period

ii)  Note the proposed strategy for the provision of school places over the longer term within the Core Strategy period and the emerging approach for the Local Plan period.