To receive an update on the Schools Capital Programme, particularly the Westlands PFI, which was one of the first in the country, what worked and what did not work. 

To include an update on how the £1.6m capital funding is being used for SEND and alternative provision.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Bye, and the Head of Education and Corporate Services Schools Capital, Clare Talbot, presented the submitted report which provided an update on the Schools Capital Programme and Torbay Schools Private Financial Initiative (PFI) and responded to questions.

It was noted that the STEPs provision run by Paignton Academy (part of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust) was an enhanced resource provision catering for secondary pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) and was the only one of that type of provision in Torbay.  This provision was not specific for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and there were two providers of ASD, namely The Harbour and provision within The Spires.

The Sub-Board asked questions in relation to services moving out of Great Parks Community Centre and if they would be moving back in later in the year; how long the land at Inglewood could be held under the Section 106 Legal Agreement; had the delay in finalising the new accommodation at St Michaels Academy impacted on the expected intake numbers;  the YMCA had an allocated portion from the Higher Needs Block, was this due to them accommodating large numbers of young people for alternative education provision and had this been offered to other providers;  the Locality Pilot sought invitations to increase special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision, how many applications had been received; and there had been delays securing information from the provider for the PFI, did the surveys get completed within the February half term.

In response to questions around Great Parks Community Centre, Members were advised that there was a 12 month pilot, similar to the locality based way of working, with some secondary schools to support non-exclusions working with the Thinking Schools Academy Trust.  It would be them who would be using the Great Parks Community Centre in order to have the capacity to work with the number of people proposed.

Members were informed of the ongoing negotiations in respect of the Inglewood Site and Section 106 Legal Agreement.  This included timing and if the land could be termed for education use rather than a Primary School to make options more flexible for its future use.  It was noted that the agreement must be secured by May 2025.

Members noted that Primary School numbers had dropped but St Michaels Academy still remained a school of choice with 15 to 20 children per year group in order to manage numbers whilst they were still in temporary accommodation.

The Sub-Board was advised that there was an existing agreement with the YMCA to help fund some of their projects, with a number of surveys being carried out on the building.  The YMCA also delivered SEND provision for early years.  The was a current procurement exercise being undertaken looking at education other than at school (EOTS) with a view to developing a framework rather than spot purchasing places. 

It was noted that 7 applications had been received so far for the Locality SEND Fund, the closing date was 28 March 2025 and it was anticipated that more applications would be received by that date.

Members were informed that the Surveyor for the PFI was on site in the February half term but due to a delay in getting some information and scale they would have to come back for two days in the Easter Holidays to complete the work.  This would not delay the completion of the Survey Condition Report.

The Sub-Board noted the contents of the submitted report.