Issue - items at meetings - An Academy at Portslade Community College

Report of the Strategic Director, People (copy attached).

(1)         That the Cabinet notes the progress since the Cabinet report of 9^th December 2010.

(2)         That the Cabinet notes the outcome of the statutory stage of consultation undertaken between 20^th December 2010 and 31^st January 2011.

(3)         That, taking into account the requirements of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, the statutory guidance contained in the document entitled ‘Closing of a Maintained Mainstream School – A Guide for Local Authorities and Governing Bodies’ and the responses to consultation, the Cabinet conditionally approve to close Portslade Community College on 31^st August 2011 to enable the immediate opening of an academy on the same site the following day. 

(This approval is conditional upon the making of an agreement under Section 482(1) of the Education Act 1996 for the establishment of an Academy. This condition must be met by 30^th June 2011.)

(4)         That Cabinet delegates authority to the Director of Children’s Services to submit a feasibility study to the Department for Education (DfE) to enable the project to move into the Implementation Stage.

(5)         That Cabinet agree to the setting up of an academy on the site of Portslade Community College from September 2011.

169.1          The Cabinet considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place concerning the proposed development of an Academy on the Portslade Community College site.

169.2          Councillor Mitchell commented that the report did not refer to discussions about the future of the Village Centre and continuing provision of the existing youth and community services.

169.3          Councillor Brown advised that the importance of the services had been recognised and highlighted the complex nature of funding. She explained that discussions were ongoing in relation to the library, the youth services review would consider the future of the Village Centre and the leisure centre was continuing to be funded; the Aldridge Foundation was committed to maintaining and expanding the community services available.

169.4          RESOLVED – That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet accepted the following recommendations:

(1)         That progress since the Cabinet report of 9^th December 2010 be noted.

(2)         That the outcome of the statutory stage of consultation undertaken between 20^th December 2010 and 31^st January 2011 be noted.

(3)         That, taking into account the requirements of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, the statutory guidance contained in the document entitled ‘Closing of a Maintained Mainstream School – A Guide for Local Authorities and Governing Bodies’ and the responses to consultation, conditional approval be given to close Portslade Community College on 31^st August 2011 to enable the immediate opening of an academy on the same site the following day. 

(This approval is conditional upon the making of an agreement under Section 482(1) of the Education Act 1996 for the establishment of an Academy. This condition must be met by 30^th June 2011.)

(4)         That authority be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services to submit a feasibility study to the Department for Education (DfE) to enable the project to move into the Implementation Stage.

(5)         That agreement be given to the setting up of an academy on the site of Portslade Community College from September 2011.