Agenda Item No

Urgent by reason of the need to notify Cabinet of the Welsh Governments position on the Penarth Learning Community proposals

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Cabinet Meeting : 20th July 2011

Report of the Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning

Penarth Learning Community

Purpose of the Report

1. To inform Cabinet of the Welsh Government's continued support of the Penarth Learning Community project.

Recommendations

1. That Cabinet note the progress achieved.

Reasons for the Recommendations

1. To ensure Cabinet are apprised of recent developments.

Background

2. Cabinet have previously considered and approved a Council application to the Welsh Government for transition funding to support the development of the Penarth Learning Community.

3. The Minister recently announced a review of 21st Century Schools projects, advising that Local Authorities would be asked to reconsider and prioritise their proposals. The announcement confirmed, however, that the projects approved for transition funding would continue, this included the Penarth Learning Community project previously agreed "in principle".

4. The Penarth Learning Community Project was submitted as a "Tranche 3 transition" project. Following the Ministers announcement the Council has received notification from the Welsh Government on 18th July that "the department of Education and Skills of the Welsh Government has approved a grant award for the Penarth Learning Campus of up to £34,563,200 to support the Penarth Learning Community project under tranche 3 transitional projects".

Relevant Issues and Options

5. As part of the funding agreement, the Welsh Government have requested further clarification of the scale and progress in securing other authorities use of the Regional SEN provision.

6. In order to progress the development and to enable the Welsh Government to ensure that it profiles its funding appropriately, that clarity needs to be in place by mid September. Other authorities accessing the provision have been contacted by the Welsh Government on this aspect.

7. The Director of Learning and Development will work with his counterparts in other authorities in order to meet the Welsh Government requirements.

8. A further report on progress will be presented to Cabinet in September.

9. There is a need to ensure that parents and the local community are kept informed of progress on this important project. As a recent example, the decision of St Cyres School to relocate from the Dinas Powys site in response to financial and pupil number pressures was assumed, wrongly by many to be part of the Penarth Learning Community Project.

10. Our experience with the new Cowbridge School project demonstrated that schools and the Council will need to work very closely to establish and sustain the quality of communication with parents and other partners necessary to support successful project delivery.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment and Climate Change, if appropriate)

11. The financial implications have been reported previously. The funding offer of up to £34,563,200 will be dependent on the agreed scale of the SEN element of the scheme.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

12. There are no legal implications arising directly from this report.

Crime and Disorder Implications

13. There are no crime and disorder implications.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

14. There are no equal opportunities implications.

Corporate/Service Objectives

15. This report is consistent with the Councils priorities for Education and Lifelong Learning.

Policy Framework and Budget

16. This is a matter which falls within the agreed Policy and Budget Framework.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

17. None.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

18. Lifelong Learning and Corporate Resources.

Background Papers

Welsh Assembly Government Guidance

Previous reports to Cabinet

Contact Officer

Bryan Jeffreys

Director of Learning and Development

Officers Consulted

John Maitland Evans, Chief Executive

Responsible Officer: