Agenda item

The Primary and Secondary School Organisation Plan 2013 – 2017 at Appendix 1 outlines the current level of primary and secondary provision in the Authority, detailed projected pupil numbers over the next four years up to admissions in September 2017 based on births and resident population data and outline pupil numbers up to 2029 as a consequence of the future planned housing development in the Authority.

The School Organisation Manager introduced this item to the Panel. She explained that the DfE currently allocate Basic Need capital funding to local authorities in order to provide additional school places where pupils are projected to exceed the number of places available and where the increase is occurring as a result of population growth other than from housing developments supported by Developer Contributions. She informed them that the level of Basic Need Funding provided is calculated on the basis of the Local Authority pupil forecast data submitted to the DfE, which outlines the number of existing places in the Authority, the current number of pupils on roll and a projection of future pupil numbers expected, excluding any pupils supported by Developer Contributions.

She stated that Basic Need funding of £2.6m for years 2013-14 and 2014-15 is committed against the Basic Need schemes that are currently being developed to ensure that the places projected to be required for 2015/16 can be provided.

She said that the DfE had recently announced Basic Need funding for 2015/16 and 2016/17 and this had seen a significant increase in funding to £13m approximately. This reflects the projected growth in pupil numbers shown in the Council’s pupil place return to the DfE. Officers are assessing options and priorities for this funding.

She stated that in general, existing secondary school provision was expected to be sufficient for future pupil numbers arising from underlying population growth and future house building. She added that Secondary pupil numbers were expected to be lower over the next few years as the smaller numbers of pupils in the older year groups of primary school reach secondary school age and then to pick up again with admissions into Year 7 in 2018 onwards when the current younger primary age pupils who entered Reception in 2011 reach secondary school age.

She said that should a future proposed new housing development in a particular area be projected to result in a shortfall of secondary school places, the Authority would seek contributions from developers to provide additional places. This is highly likely to be delivered via the expansion of existing schools rather than by building new schools.

She informed the Panel that the future need for primary school places was expected to be affected by levels of underlying population growth coupled with pupils generated from new housing developments in line with the Revised Core Strategy and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA).

Councillor Liz Hardman asked what would happen if the developers say they cannot contribute.

The School Organisation Manager replied that a viability assessment would then be carried out to show what the impact of that situation would be.

The People & Communities Strategic Director added that the work of the Core Strategy and the Placemaking Plan were critical to the future of the Council. He said that the Council needed to create sustainable communities and that the concept statements for this future work had been tested vigorously.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked when is a Primary School deemed to be too large and what were the chances of the schools within B&NES having many empty desks.

The School Organisation Manager replied that there is no maximum limit set down for the size of a Primary School and that the risk of empty desks within B&NES was very slight.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked for further information on plans for a school within the Bath Western Riverside Development.

The School Organisation Manager replied that the new primary school to serve the development at Bath Western Riverside (BWR) has an estimated delivery date of 2017/2018, based on the latest build programme for the development. The school will have a capacity of 210.

Councillor Colin Barrett asked what impact the new development in Weston would have on the expansion plans for Weston All Saints Primary School.

The School Organisation Manager replied that Weston All Saints Primary School (WASPS) would be a three form entry school as previously agreed by Cabinet and as WASPS would take most of the pupils from the new development there would be expected to be a re-distribution of pupils across the area.

Councillor Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst commented that she was concerned over the capacity of the local Roman Catholic schools as the figures for pupils attending these schools were increasing.

Councillor David Veale commented that he was aware of planned developments for the villages of High Littleton and Clutton and said he was concerned that the local schools would not be able to cope with the increase in numbers.

The School Organisation Manager replied that the department had been consulted on the planning applications and that Developer Contributions may be sought as part of the process.

The Chair thanked her and all the officers associated for producing the Plan.

The Panel RESOLVED to:

i)  Note the proposed strategy for the provision of school places within the 2013 – 2017 plan period

ii)  Note the proposed strategy for the provision of school places over the longer term within the Core Strategy Plan Period.