Agenda item

To award a contract for the refurbishment of part of the Connor Education Centre, Connor Road, West Bromwich to provide temporary accommodation for the new Elm Tree Primary Academy Special School.

Resolved that:

1.1    That subject to a satisfactory financial appraisal being completed by Strategic Finance, the Director of Children and Education be authorised to award a contract for the refurbishment of part of the Connor Education Centre, Connor Road, West Bromwich to provide temporary accommodation for the new Elm Tree Primary Academy Special School, following a compliant procurement exercise, in conjunction with the Section 151 Officer, and in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Education.

1.2    That, subject to 1.1, the Director of Law and Governance & Monitoring Officer be authorised to enter into any legal agreements on terms agreed by the Director of Children and Education, as required, to allow building works to be completed.

Approval was sought to authorise the Director of Children and Education to award a contract for the refurbishment of part of the Connor Education Centre, Connor Road, West Bromwich to provide temporary accommodation for the new Elm Tree Primary Academy Special School.

The Chair of Children’s Services and Education Scrutiny Board queried whether there was space for extra provision to cover the 6 Sandwell Towns more equably, thereby reducing SEND transport costs and travelling time for children, and whether the Council anticipated a reduction in having to place children out-of-borough through this new provision.

In response, the Cabinet Member for Children and Education stated that the temporary provision at Connor Education Centre was for 12 months and for 18 pupils.

In September 2023, the school would move to its permanent site in Friar Park where it would provide 126 places from Reception to Year 6. SEN and Inclusion Services were already in discussions with Elm Tree Primary Academy to increase its pupil admission number due to the expected numbers of SEN pupils. Elm Tree Primary Academy was to offer places across the borough, thereby reducing the number for Sandwell children who needed to travel outside of the borough.

Reason for Decision

The scheduled opening of the Elm Tree Primary Academy Special School by the Department of Education (DfE) had been delayed until September 2023. It was therefore proposed to procure and award a contract for the refurbishment of part of the Connor Education Centre to be used as a two-form entry Primary Special School for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder alongside other associated learning needs for one school year.

The temporary accommodation would enable the school to open 12 months ahead of its formal opening and admit up to 18 children to the Reception year.  Capital funding of £375,000 for the refurbishment of the Connor Education Centre was to be provided by the Department for Education (DfE). Agreement with DfE necessitated the council to sign a Work Funding Agreement to confirm it would accept all programme and costs risks.

Alternative Options Considered

                  Feasibility survey was undertaken for the parcel of land adjacent to the existing Victoria Academy Trust shared site of Devonshire Infant and Junior Academies off Auckland Road, known as the former ‘Devonshire Gym site’. This option was deemed cost prohibitive for a short-term location.

Feasibility surveys were also completed at the former nursery/children’s centre at Ferndale Primary School. Ferndale Primary’s site was deemed unfeasible.  Connor Education Centre’s proposed business plan for the site was more beneficial to the pupils of the school. 

Doing nothing was not an option as the council would be in breach of statutory regulations to ensure every child has access to a good school place.

Agreed:-

(1)     that subject to a satisfactory financial appraisal being completed by Strategic Finance, the Director of Children and Education be authorised to award a contract for the refurbishment of part of the Connor Education Centre, Connor Road, West Bromwich to provide temporary accommodation for the new Elm Tree Primary Academy Special School, following a compliant procurement exercise, in conjunction with the Section 151 Officer, and in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Education;

(2)     that, subject to Resolution (1) above, the Director of Law and Governance & Monitoring Officer be authorised to enter into any legal agreements on terms agreed by the Director of Children and Education, as required, to allow building works to be completed.