Agenda item

(To receive a report from Sheridan Dodsworth, Head of Special Educational Needs and Disability, which provides the Committee with an update on the implementation of the Building Communities of Specialist Provision Strategy. Eileen McMorrow, Senior Project Officer, Special Schools Project and Dave Pennington, Head of Property Development will also be in attendance for this item)

The Chairman advised the Committee that this item provided an update on the implementation of the Building Communities of Specialist Provision Strategy and on the progress made in Year two.  The Chairman invited Eileen McMorrow, Programme Manager, Special Schools Strategy to present the report to the Committee.  The Committee noted that Sheridan Dodsworth, Head of SEND and Dave Pennington, Head of Property Development were also in attendance for this item.

The Committee was advised that the impact of Covid-19 had been felt within the programme.  It was noted that uncertainty and low confidence had been evident in the construction industry, particularly within the supply chain. Schools also had experienced unprecedented challenges, as they had been required to provide a quality education to children in their home settings and at school.

Despite the challenges, the implementation of the strategy including the capital build programme had continued with the same impetus and drive as it had in pre-lockdown, although Covid-19 had brought about delays to the schemes.

It was noted that works on the Boston Endeavour Academy which had commenced on site in March 2020 had continued on site throughout; and had made good progress with a forecasted two week delay to date.  

It was noted further that all other schemes which were in pre-construction were forecasting a delay to commencing on site or for feasibility activities.  However, all schemes continued to progress and were in line for completion before the end of the five year strategic implementation period.  Appendix A to the report provided the Committee with the revised timeline of scheme completions.

Section 2.2 of the report provided the Committee with updates on each of the schemes under the capital programme.  Appendix B provided the Committee with details of progress relating to the Boston Endeavour Academy and Appendix C provided details relating to the Bourne Willoughby Archaeology.

In conclusion, the Committee noted that despite unexpected challenges which had impacted the implementation of the multi-faceted and complex strategy, significant progress had been made across all aspect of the programme.  It was reported that twelve of the fourteen schools were actively engaged in the pre-construction phase of their planned development in accordance with the projected timeline for the programme.  The Boston Endeavour Academy was now a live construction project; and construction at The Willoughby Academy was commencing next month.  Whilst some delays had been inevitable as the local authority, schools and construction partners adapted to new ways of working, the whole strategic vision was on track to be implemented in five years from approval as set out in the original strategy.

During discussion, the following points were raised:

·       How the Sandon School and the Ambergate Sports College operating as one school from two sites would deliver provision.  The Committee was advised that this was an internal management issue and as such was the responsibility of the Academy Trust;

·       A request was made for the next report to contain a financial schedule, of the £50m budget to show the financial position for the strategy.  The Committee was advised that this would be included in the capital budget monitoring reports to the Executive, but this could also be included in the next update that would be considered by the Committee next year; and

·       Whether archaeology finds at The Willoughby Academy, Bourne had incurred increased costs as a result of the archaeology finds.  A further question was asked whether the finds were being used as a learning resource for the school.  The Committee was advised that the finds in Bourne had been of national significance, and that it was expected that risks would covered, but until digging was completed it was difficult to make a judgement.  There was however an expectation that the risk would be low and could be managed within existing budgets.  Confirmation was given that the finds would be used as a learning resource. 

RESOLVED

1.    That the update on the progress made in year two of the Building Communities of Specialist Provision Strategy be received.

2.    That a further update on year three implementation be received by the Committee in October 2021.  

The Committee had a ten minute break from 11.03am.

At 11.13am a roll call was undertaken to confirm members' attendance at the meeting.