In Feburary 2015 the Council agreed that the main Torbay School needed to be relocated for the benefit of the school and also to allow it's existing site to be utilised as a primary school to meet the demands of the local area.  The original location site is no longer viable and Children Services are seeking approval for an alternative site - MyPlace in Paignton.

(i)       that, further to Minute 149/2/16, Torbay School relocates to the MyPlace facility in Paignton and the subsequent transfer of the area of land edged red on the plan attached at Appendix 2 to the submitted report (considered at the Council meeting on 25 February 2016) be provided on a 125 year lease; and

(ii)      that the decision in Minute 172(ii)/2/15 ‘that the Executive Head of Commercial Services be given delegated authority to agree the terms of the lease and/or procurement arrangements for the transfer of the Parkfield site (the new build), BMX and Skateboard Park to the Torbay Youth Trust’ be rescinded.

Benefit to Torbay School Pupils

The relocation of Torbay School to the MyPlace facility will enable access to a larger site, enabling the school to offer an enriched curriculum and improved outcomes to pupils within an inspiring environment.

Sustainability of MyPlace Facility

The relocation of Torbay School will enable the efficient use of an underutilised site and provide continued access to Youth Services.  The priority groups and outcomes of the lottery funding can be aligned to ensure continuation of work to meet the original intention of the grant.

Continued Access of Youth Services and Provision

The decision will ensure that the terms of the lease for the transfer of the Parkfield site will ensure that youth services would be able to use the site outside of school hours and during the school holiday period.

Not relocating Torbay School

The Council had taken the decision to relocate Torbay school in February 2015 (Minute 172(ii)/2/15 refers).  The evidence base for the relocation of the school remained appropriate and the school were inspected in January 2016 and received an inadequate judgement and is subject to special measures. Officers have looked at twelve alternative sites and were not able to take forward these options.

Loss of a central site for new primary school

The Council has a statutory duty to provide sufficient school places.  Projections show that demand in the area will exceed current capacity by 2018.  A new primary school on the vacated site would address this shortfall and is subject to a report to Council on 21 July 2016.  It would not be possible to build the new primary at Parkfield as there is no playing field and to create one would mean losing the BMX track and/or skate park.  Plus the Council would also be required to pay back the lottery grant as a new primary school would not meet the grant terms and conditions.  The Torbay School relocation proposal would meet grant terms and conditions because it is for a similar age group and focus.  

The decision will come into force immediately.

As requested by the Council at its meeting on 25 February 2016 consultation has been carried out with the following:

• Local Councillors
• All Torbay Schools
• Local Ward Partnerships
• Residents
• Department for Education (DfE) lottery capital department
• Service users of Parkfield (Co Ordin8 Day Club, Torbay Gymnastics Club)

The consultation showed that the majority of those opposing were concerned about the closure of the venue and the loss of facilities for young people. 

One of the main aims of the Torbay School relocation proposal is to help safeguard MyPlace and its facilities.  It enables Children Services to realise the full potential of the site and make it more sustainable.  Children Services will continue to work with the Youth Trust and engage with the young people who currently use the facility to ensure it continues to meet their needs.  This will therefore alleviate the concerns of the consultees regarding closure and loss of the facility.

The following background papers were used in considering the issue

• Relocation of Torbay School Consultation Report (June 2016)
• Supporting Information and Impact Assessment (1^st June 2016)

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