Decision details

The Leader of the Council:

(a)       authorises the Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Lifelong Learning to take all necessary steps to:

i.          Relocate Tinsley Meadows Primary School to Tinsley Recreation Ground, incorporating the Tinsley Green building.

ii.         Note that at the appropriate point, a capital approval submission will be submitted in the Monthly Budget Monitoring report to obtain the necessary authority to undertake and procure the proposed works, in accordance with Council procedures.

iii.        Anticipate a further report describing options for the future of the existing school sites, including the creation of public open space on the Junior school site, following consultation with the community and local members

(b)       approves in principle, subject to consideration of any objections received, the appropriation of the Tinsley Green Building and the part of the Tinsley Recreation Ground required to relocate the school to that site and to authorise the Director of Capital and Major Projects to place any public notices required in connection with the appropriation

(c)        authorises the Director of Capital and Major Projects in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Lifelong Learning and the Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families:

i.          to agree terms with the owner of the land held on lease for a relaxation of the restrictive covenant on use, sufficient to enable the proposed relocation of the school onto the recreation ground to take place;

ii.         to determine whether the remaining lease term provides sufficient security to implement the proposed development and if not, to agree terms with the landowner for the extension of the lease term or for the acquisition of the freehold; and

iii.        to instruct the Director of Legal and Governance to prepare and complete all the necessary legal documentation to implement the transaction in accordance with the agreed terms

The additional places are required to meet the local need for places. The recommended option represents the best way forward to provide the additional places that are needed, meet the objectives around reducing noise and air pollution, and provide new or refurbished buildings for the entire school while listening to the concerns raised during the previous consultation. This will enable the Council to spend the Targeted Basic Need funding, guarding against the risk of this being clawed back, and meets the previous commitment from Cabinet to relocate the schools away from motorway

The alternative options have been detailed under section 4 of this report. Taking no action would not address the shortfall in primary school places in Tinsley, with few alternative places likely to available within a reasonable travel distance.