Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Sandwell Council House, Oldbury. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services 

Items
No. Item

141/21

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ahmed, Crompton, E M Giles, Moore and Shackleton.

 

142/21

Declarations of Interest

Members to declare any interests in matters to be discussed at the meeting.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

 

143/21

Minutes pdf icon PDF 178 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 7 and 21 July 2021 as a correct record.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meetings held on 7 and 21 July 2021 were confirmed as a correct record.

 

144/21

Additional Items of Business

To determine whether there are any additional items of business to be considered as a  matter of urgency.

Minutes:

There were no additional items of business to consider at the meeting. 

 

145/21

Consultation on the Future of Walker Grange pdf icon PDF 116 KB

To approve the commencing of a consultation process on the Walker Grange site.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was reported that Walker Grange was designed and built in the 1980s and had now become dated, proving unsuitable to meet the changing care and support needs of some individuals. Rooms were not big enough to accommodate non-standard wheelchairs, along with additional equipment needed to meet people’s care and support needs, such as mobile or fixed hoists.

 

The layout of the building and the mechanism of the entrances and exits did not provide suitable infrastructure to best support tenants with dementia and they did not offer best practice in dementia specialisms.

 

Approval was therefore sought for a 12-week consultation period for tenants and a 30-day consultation period for the affected staff group. The consultation would be developed to encourage and facilitate participation by all affected parties.

 

It was noted that following the completion of the consultation with tenants, stakeholders and affected staff, a further report would be presented to Cabinet where a decision would be sought to agree the future of Walker Grange.

 

Reason for Decision

Whilst Walker Grange had capacity for 39 properties, there was only 22 tenants in situ. This was as a result of decreased demand in recent years, exacerbated by the closure to admissions because of the pandemic. Similarly, the onsite day service had capacity for 20 attendees per day, 7 days per week. Prior to the pandemic 8 to 15 people had attended daily with 26 people registered. The day service had not operated throughout the pandemic. When day service clients had been contacted there had only been a small number who had wanted to consider day care options in the future once these services were back and operational. The consultation process, would look to support anyone wishing to continue with some form of day care to explore all available options at the appropriate time.

 

Alternative Options Considered

 

Options Appraisal:    

 

Option 1 – Do nothing – continue to provide Extra Care Housing at Walker Grange.

 

Option 2 – Look at the closure of Walker Grange & the transfer of Tenants to Willow Gardens or other suitable ECH provision.

 

Option 3 – Look at Upgrading Walker Grange to ensure it is fit for purpose for the future.

 

The three Options were explored, and the advantages and disadvantages could be seen in the above tables.  Based on the above summary, Option 2 was recommended as the most viable option.

 

Agreed:-

 

(1)          that approval be given to commence consultation with the tenants of Walker Grange and their relatives, on the future of Walker Grange;

 

(2)     that in connection with Resolution (1) above, approval be given to commence consultation with affected Council staff members;

 

(3)     that a further report be presented to Cabinet, to agree the future plans for Walker Grange following completion of the consultation.

 

146/21

Sandwell Children's Trust Annual Review 2020/21 and Improvement Plan pdf icon PDF 105 KB

To receive and note the Sandwell Children’s Trust Annual Review and Improvement Plan.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the Sandwell Children’s Trust Annual Review 2020/21. The Service Delivery Contract between the Council and Sandwell Children’s Trust (SCT) required that an annual review of services was completed and presented to the council. At the Cabinet meeting on 22 March 2017, it was agreed that the Cabinet would perform this function on behalf of the council in its executive role to agree certain ‘reserved matters’ that are set out in the Contract.

 

Reason for Decision

The Service Delivery Contract required SCT to meet the requirements of ‘any improvement plan as agreed between the Council and the Trust and as amended from time to time’.

 

The initial improvement plan agreed with the Trust covered the period 2018 to 2021 and was presented to Cabinet on 19 September 2018.

 

The report presented SCTs Annual Review 2020/21 and updated Improvement Plan. Consideration of these reports by the Cabinet formed an important part of the governance of SCT; providing assurance to the council in its capacity as the body that was responsible and accountable for the for the discharge of the

relevant children’s social care services functions.

 

Alternative Options Considered

At its meeting on 19 October 2016, Cabinet was advised of the Government’s Statutory Direction (under Section 479A of the Education Act 1996) to set up a new arrangement in the form of a children’s trust to deliver children’s social care services. As a result, Sandwell Children’s Trust started operating on 1 April 2018. Any alternative to the current arrangement must be agreed by the Secretary of State for Education.

 

Agreed that the Cabinet, in its capacity as the body that is responsible and accountable for the discharge of the relevant children’s social care services functions:-

 

a)   formally receives the Sandwell Children’s Trust Annual Review 2020/21;

 

b)   notes the progress made to date by Sandwell Children’s Trust in delivering services as set out in the Contract between the Council and the Trust, as set out in the Annual Review 2020/21;

 

c)    formally receives the updated Improvement Plan 2021/24;

 

d)   notes the feedback from the Department for Education following its recent 6-month review of Sandwell Children’s Trust;

 

e)   notes the reports from Ofsted for the period covering the Annual Review 2020/21.

 

 

147/21

Sandwell Children's Invest to Save Proposal pdf icon PDF 87 KB

To consider Sandwell Children’s Trust Invest to Save proposals.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Approval was sought for the Sandwell Children’s Trust (SCT) Invest to Save Proposal.  The Service Delivery Contract between the Council and SCT allowed SCT to make an Invest to Save proposal which required an increase to the Contract Sum in the short term, but which would be paid back to the Council in terms of a future reduction in the Contract Sum.

 

Reason for Decision

The financial mechanism allowed SCT to request changes to the annual contract sum. These requests fall into 2 categories, Type 1 or Type 2.

 

Type 1: there had been an increase in the demand for the Services and/or an additional cost to the Trust that could not reasonably have been anticipated when the overall budget for the relevant Contract Year was agreed by the Parties; or (ii) a business case proposal which would require an Increase to the Contract Sum but would deliver an improvement in the Services

 

Type 2: where the Trust wishes to make an Invest to Save proposal which would require an increase to the Contract Sum in the short term, but which it would pay back to the Council in terms of a future reduction in the Contract Sum

 

The investment amount being requested was £287,500, split across Early Help and Strategic Commissioning. Both proposals would see additional investment in 2021/22 and 2022/23, with the investment being returned to the Council in 2023/24 and 2024/25 by a reduction in the overall contract sum.

 

The impact of the activity would be assessed after 12 months and if the anticipated progress in making savings was at significantly slower rate or significantly lower value than detailed in the proposals, the continuation of the activity and associated funding from the Council would be reviewed.

 


 

Alternative Options Considered

The Council was not obligated to agree to the proposals put forward by SCT. SCT may not be able to undertake the identified work which may in turn impact on its ability to achieve positive change for children and/or delay the achievement of a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted.

 

Agreed:-

 

(1)          that the Cabinet, in line with the Service Delivery Contract with Sandwell Children’s Trust, considers the Invest to Save proposals put forward by the Trust and:

 

a)          agree the increase to the Contract Sum in the short term as per the Strategic Commissioning Invest to Save proposal, to be paid back to the Council via a reduction in the future Contract Sum;

 

b)          Agree the increase to the Contract Sum in the short term as per the Early Help Invest to Save proposal, to be paid back to the Council via a reduction in the future Contract Sum.

 

(2)          that, subject to (1)a) and (1)b), the Executive Director of Children’s Services take the necessary actions, as laid out in the Service Delivery Contract, to vary the contract sum.

 

148/21

Contract for the Supply of Liquid Fuels - Appointment of Contractor pdf icon PDF 59 KB

To authorise the use of Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) Framework for the supply of liquid fuels.

 

Minutes:

Approval was sought for the appointment of a contractor for the supply of liquid fuels. The Council’s current contract was due to expire on 30 September 2021.

 

Participation in the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) Framework would enable the Council to continue to obtain Liquid Fuels at regional competitive rates, based on the industry standard weekly lagged pricing model with supplier delivery margins fixed for the duration of the Contract.

 

The nominated contractor on the ESPO Framework for the West Midlands region is Certas Energy Ltd who were also the supplier on the current contract so there would be a seamless transfer across ensuring delivery lead times would be maintained and delivery site familiarity.

 

Reason for Decision

The Council had an ongoing requirement for the supply of bulk tanker deliveries of Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel to the depots at Taylors Lane, Oldbury and Waterfall Lane, Cradley Heath.

 

There was also a requirement for Heating Oil to be purchased for a range of sites including Sandwell Park Farm, Redhouse Park, West Smethwick ark, Tanhouse Centre as well as the out of Borough Residential Centres.

 

It was proposed that participation in the ESPO Framework wold be for the period 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2024 and based on current levels of expenditure, would have a value of £750,000.

 


 

The Chair of the Safer Neighbourhoods and Active Communities Scrutiny Board sought clarification on why the contract had not gone through the regular tendering process. Councillor Millard responded that the process had gone through the correct framework for contracts under £250,000. It was noted that the contract was for 3 years and would save money as it allowed the Council to buy fuel in bulk.

 

Alternative Options Considered

One alternative option would be to undertake a tendering exercise on behalf of the Council in isolation or in conjunction with the other Black Country Boroughs. However, the levels of consumption would not be sufficient to improve of the pricing that could be obtained by participating in the ESPO Framework.

 

Agreed:-

 

(1)          that approval be given to utilise Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) Framework 301_20 to appoint Certas Energy UK Ltd to supply Liquid Fuels for the period 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2024 following the result of a procurement market review exercise undertaken in accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules;

 

(2)          that in connection with (1) above, the Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer be authorised to enter into an appropriate contract with Certas Energy Ltd.

 

 

149/21

Black Country Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Strategy pdf icon PDF 111 KB

To approve the Black Country Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Strategy and Implementation Plan.

 

Minutes:

Approval was sought for the Black Country Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Strategy. The UK government had committed to banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2030. The resultant societal shift from petrol and diesel, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV) would require widespread support from local authorities. It was projected that there would be an additional 42,500 ULEVs within the Black Country by 2025. The Black Country ULEV strategy set out a framework for how the Council could support the transition. Failure to support the transition would result in the borough and Black Country being left behind.

 

Reason for Decision

Adoption of the strategy would support reductions in air pollution. The whole of Sandwell had been a designated Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) since 2005, because of lower than average air quality across the borough. This low air quality had resulted in increased prevalence of heart and lung disease. Adoption of the strategy would support a transition away from (ICE) vehicles to cleaner electric ULEVs. It was forecast that a transition based on a 2030 ICE ban would, by 2025, result in a 12% reduction of transport Nitrous Dioxide (NOx) emissions and a 36.6% reduction in transport Particulate Matter (PM) emissions across the borough. By 2040 these reductions are forecast to be 83.4% and 90.1% respectively.

 

Adoption of the strategy would support emissions reduction. Following the UK Government’s legislative commitment to the country reaching net-zero Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) had committed to the metropolitan area reaching net zero by 2041, a target which had been matched by the Council for the borough. Transport was the biggest contributor to CO2 emissions nationally, regionally and locally. It was forecast that a transition to ULEVs based on a 2030 ICE ban would result in a 4% decrease in transport CO2 emissions by 2025. This transition and resultant decrease in transport CO2 emissions would contribute to Sandwell meetings its own, regional and national emission reduction targets.

 

Adoption of the strategy would enable the council to use the document as a central plank for ULEV charging infrastructure bids such as the On-Street Residential Charging Scheme.

 

Alternative Options Considered

The 2030 ban on the sale of ICE cars would remain in place at a national level regardless of the formal adoption or not of local ULEV strategies.

 

Not adopting the strategy at a local level would decrease local ‘buy in’, increasing the likelihood of Sandwell and the Black Country continuing to lag behind the rest of the UK in terms of ULEV adoption and its consequent carbon emission and air pollution reductions.

 

Agreed that approval be given to the Black Country Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) Strategy and Implementation Plan.

 

150/21

Q1 Budget Monitoring 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 100 KB

To consider the latest budget monitoring position at Quarter 1.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet received and noted the Q1 Budget 2021/22. Section 151 of the 1972 Local Government Act required the Chief Financial Officer to ensure the proper administration of the council’s financial affairs. Budgetary control, which included the regular monitoring and reporting of budgets was an essential element in discharging this statutory responsibility.

 

Reason for Decision

Services were projecting an over spend of £4.621m against allocated budgets however, after adjusting for reserves, corporate resources, RCCO and the application of centrally held Covid-19 grant funding the adjusted projected outturn was an under spend of £6.185m.

 

Services were continuing to experience the financial impact of the pandemic, most significantly a loss of income due to suspended or significantly reduced services. Pressures of £7.610m were expected to be managed through the centrally held Covid funding which was from the unused balance of grants received in 2020/21 and additional grants received or anticipated for part of 2021/22.

 

In addition to the Covid related issues, services were reporting a number of significant ongoing operational pressures which would need to be incorporated into the next refresh of the corporate medium term financial strategy.

 

The Chair of the Budget and Corporate Scrutiny Management Board commented that the budget would be looked at in greater detail at the next Scrutiny Board and it was hoped that Councillor Crompton would attend.

 

Alternative Options Considered

There are limited decisions within the recommendations, Cabinet could vary the proposed transfer of Covid funding to the Sandwell Children’s Trust or the requested virements within Public Health which reflected increases in the available resources since the 2021/22 budgets were approved.

 

Agreed:-

 

(1)          that the financial monitoring for individual directorates as at 30 June 2021 (Quarter 1 2021/22) be noted and referred to the Budget and Corporate Scrutiny Management Board for consideration and comment;

 

(2)          that the projected financial position be noted; in particular, where services are projecting an over spend of £4.621m against allocated budgets and an underspend of £6.185m after adjusting for the movement on reserves, use of corporate resources and the application of centrally held Covid-19 grant funding;

 

(3)          that the following budget virements above the higher of £0.25m or 1% of the Gross Budget of the service area be approved:

 

 

(4)          that an allocation of £514,083 to Sandwell Children’s Trust to fund Covid-19 pressures be approved which is not currently reflected in the projections within the Children’s Services monitoring;

 

(5)          that the revised Capital Programme be amended to include the urgency decision taken by the Leader on 31 August 2021.

 

151/21

Use of Local Council Tax Support Grant 2021/22

To approve the Local Council Tax Support Grant 2021/22.

Minutes:

Approval was sought for the use of local council tax support grant 2021/22. As part of its response to Covid-19 the government announced in May 2021 that it would provide local authorities in England with new grant funding in recognition of the anticipated additional cost of the LCTRS in 2021/22. Sandwell had been allocated funding of £3,586,869 for 2021/22.

 

Government funding had been provided in 2020/21 however the criteria for its use was more rigid. There was £500,000 remaining from the 2020/21 funding and this had been used to continue to provide support to residents who had been affected by the pandemic and were struggling to pay their Council Tax.

Sandwell’s LCTRS was one of only a few schemes nationally that provided 100% support to the lowest income households and the current cost of the scheme was £30.9m for 2021/22.

 

Any Local Council Tax Support Grant remaining at the end of 2021/22 could be used towards the cost of Sandwell’s Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

 

Reason for Decision

Each local authority had been issued funding based on national published LCTRS workload data.

 

The fund would administered by the Revenues and Benefits Service. Full funding would be provided to cover the costs of the grants and a New Burdens funding had also been provided to cover the council’s administration costs.

 

Alternative Options Considered

The council could use the funding in recognition of the anticipated additional cost of LCTRS in 2021/22 however this approach would not target additional support to residents affected by the pandemic who are struggling to pay their Council Tax

 

Agreed:-

 

(1)          that approval be given to the use of the Local Council Tax Support Grant 2021/22 to provide financial support to those Sandwell residents who are struggling to pay their Council Tax;

 

(2)          that the use of some of the Local Council Tax Support Grant to fund the cost of the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS) for 2021/22 be approved.

 

(3)          that approval be given for the households and hierarchy to be considered for an award as detailed below:-

 

-       Use the Local Council Tax Support Grant funding to award up to £150 to all working age LCTRS recipients – where they have an annual amount to pay. This could equate to 8,000 households being supported and would cost around £840,000;

 

-       Council tax support where required to residents based on the hierarchy below:

 

       Families in receipt of free school meals

       Residents affected by the pandemic that are in arrears with their Council Tax who contact us to advise that they are struggling to make payment and for whom a hardship payment will help to reduce or completely pay their council tax for 2021-22

       Residents affected by the pandemic identified by Revenues and Benefits, Welfare Rights, voluntary sector organisations and/or Citizens Advice Bureau who will benefit from receiving financial support to help to pay their council tax

       Make an additional award to our working-age LCTRS claimants who have already received a payment if  ...  view the full minutes text for item 151/21

152/21

Premises 106/107/108 High Street, West Bromwich - Approval to accept surrender of lease prior to the break date of 30 June 2024 pdf icon PDF 82 KB

To authorise the conclusion of negotiations.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Approval was sought to accept the surrender of the lease of premises 106/107/108 High Street West Bromwich prior to the break date of 30 June 2024. The opportunity had arisen to obtain vacant possession of 106/107/108 High Street West Bromwich, currently owned by the Council and leased to Argos on a lease which runs to 2029. By taking the opportunity to obtain vacant possession now the Council would avoid significant costs in having to acquire a leasehold interest later. Vacant possession of the properties was necessary to relocate the indoor market and to deliver the emerging West Bromwich Masterplan.

 

Whilst the opportunity to take a surrender of the lease has arisen earlier than ideal, it was a time-limited opportunity with obtaining possession at a later date likely to be more difficult and much more expensive.

 

Reason for Decision

A central element in the masterplan would be the relocation of the indoor market to a more central location where it could benefit from, and also contribute to, an increased level of footfall.

 

The new indoor market was a critical element of the Retail Diversification Programme which forms part of the Council’s Towns Fund programme. This programme initially focuses on: Bull Street (incorporating the Queen Square Shopping Centre) and the Kings Square Shopping Centre (incorporating the Indoor Market and former Kings Square Cinema). This equates to circa 4.4 ha of land for regeneration. The programme aimed to kickstart regeneration and transformation of the West Bromwich retail submarket through site assembly and demolition.

 

Alternative Options Considered

The Council could decline to accept the offer of a surrender at this stage and delay the decision until the West Bromwich Masterplan was approved and a full business case developed for the market relocation.

 

The Council could consider acquiring another similar property in the town centre for the new indoor market. This would involve negotiating with property owners and tenants and would involve the Council paying premiums to tenants rather than receiving one.

 

The Council could consider the construction of a new market hall on an alternative site as part of the masterplan. This would inevitably be more expensive and might damage the viability of the masterplan as it would displace alternative uses e.g. residential or leisure.

 

Agreed:-

 

(1)          that the Interim Director of Regeneration and Growth be authorised to conclude negotiations with the lessee’s agents to agree a surrender premium for a surrender of the lease of 106/107/108 High Street, West Bromwich with effect from 10 September 2021;

 

(2)          that in connection with Resolution (1) above, the Director Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer be authorised to prepare and agree formal surrender documents to allow the Council to obtain vacant possession of the premises;

 

(3)          that the Director of Finance be authorised to make an adjustment to the income target for Strategic Assets and Land to reflect the loss of income.

 

153/21

Award of a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Tree Maintenance & Arboricultural Services pdf icon PDF 136 KB

To authorise the awarding of the Framework Agreement for the Provision of Tree Maintenance & Arboricultural Services.

 

Minutes:

Approval was sought to award the Framework Agreement and appoint the contractors for the Provision of Tree Maintenance and Arboricultural Services.

 

The Framework Agreement would include, but not limited to provision of the following tree maintenance services and Arboricultural services:

 

• Tree pruning / cutting / clearing

• Hedge cutting / pruning

• Crown reduction

• Tree / large shrub removal (felling, sectional, dismantling, crane assisted)

• Stump removal / chemical treatment

• Associated waste removal

• Emergency call out and make safe 24 hour response

Arboricultural advice and tree surveys.

 

The Framework Agreement approach ensured continuity of service, including during peak times, i.e. storms, high winds and also encourages competitive pricing schedules.

 

Reason for Decision

The total expenditure over the four year life of the Framework Agreement was estimated to be £2.4m.

 

The Framework Agreement was procured in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 following an EU compliant open tender process. Contractors were invited to submit tenders on a 70% price and 30% quality basis with the top three submissions being appointed to the Framework Agreement.

 

In response to the tender advertisement, five compliant tender submissions were returned by the deadline of 8 January 2021.

 

Tender submissions had been scored in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria by officers from the Council’s Corporate Procurement Service and Urban Forestry Unit.

 

Alternative Options Considered

Do nothing. The current agreement lapses and the Council would have to go out for quote/tender for individual tree work requests. This would result in numerous independent Tree Contractors working within the Borough and with the loss of the Framework Agreement prices and Officers time to deal with this would increase significantly.

 

Agreed:-

 

(1)          that the Interim Director – Borough Economy be authorised to award the Framework Agreement for the Provision of Tree Maintenance & Arboricultural Services for the period 9 September 2021 to 31 July 2025 (subject to satisfactory performance and price competitiveness) to the following Contractors:

• Acorn Environmental Management Group

• Beechwood Trees and Landscapes Ltd

• Midland Forestry Ltd

 

(2)          that in connection with Resolution (1) above, the Director – Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer be authorised to enter in to appropriate contracts with Acorn Environmental Management Group, Beechwood Trees and Landscapes Ltd and Midland Forestry Ltd.

 

154/21

Schools Capital Programme 2021-2024 pdf icon PDF 96 KB

To allocate School Condition Allocation funding for cyclical maintenance to support maintained schools for a future school replacement building programme.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Approval was sought to allocate School Condition Allocation funding for cyclical maintenance to support maintained schools. The balance would be retained for a future school replacement building programme.

 

Following Cabinet approval on 17 March 2021 (Minute No.79/21 of Cabinet refers), to allocate £850,000 from the council’s Special Education Needs and Disability capital grant to fund extension works at The Meadows School (9-19), detailed design and survey work had now been completed, and full planning consent obtained. In particular, the survey work had established that significant ground works are required to enable construction, including an alternative foundation piling solution, and safe disposal of contaminated waste, which had been unknown at the time of the initial approval. Commencement of the works had now been delayed until mid-September.

 

Basic Need Allocation was providing new places in the borough. Data shows by the academic year 2023/24 there would be a shortfall in secondary places. It was the Local Authority’s statutory duty to provide sufficient school places.

 

Reason for Decision

The DfE had confirmed a new allocation of £10,733,158 Basic Need capital grant funding to the Authority.

 

It was currently projected that an additional 828 places would be required in secondary schools by September 2024. The project at Health Futures University Technology College (UTC) would provide 360 of those places. The shortfall was in addition to the proposed opening of two new secondary free schools that were due to be opened by the DfE in September 2022 and 2023 respectively.

 

Alternative Options Considered

There were either no alternative options, or options had already been discounted through project development:

 

The terms of the School Condition Allocation met funds had to be spent on maintained school’s cyclical maintenance.

 

Within the maintained schools sector, it was the primary school building stock that would also require a programme of replacement to commence shortly. The deteriorating condition of school buildings wold otherwise continue to be a drain on the School Repair Account.

 

Early feasibility at The Meadows School identified the proposed location for the extension works as the most suitable and appropriate. The Authority does not have an alternative secondary special school to admit the additional pupils to, that could meet their individual special needs.

 

Health Futures UTC – the alternative option would be the Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust sponsored secondary free school proposed for West Bromwich Town Centre in partnership with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra that had already been approved by the DfE and will provide 750 additional secondary school places required in the town.

 

Agreed:-

 

(1)          that approval be given to a sum of £1.5m of the School Condition allocation to be used to support cyclical maintenance;

 

(2)          that approval be given to the allocation of an additional £200,000 from the council’s Special Education Needs and Disability capital grant to fund extension works to The Meadows School (9-19), Dudley Road East, Oldbury B69 3BU;

 

(3)          that approval be given to the allocation of £4,575,000 from the Department of Education (DfE) Basic Need allocation to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 154/21

155/21

Cabinet Petitions Committee Minutes pdf icon PDF 298 KB

To note the minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2021. 

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Petitions Committee held on 23 June 2021 were noted.