The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills has decided to allocate funding to address building issues at Whitfield Aspen Primary School in Dover.

URL: https://democracy.kent.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2981

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Proposed decision –That the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, be asked to:   1)    APPROVE the Allocation of further funding from the Children’s, Young People and Education capital budgets to enable building issues to be rectified at Whitfield Aspen Primary School (Richmond Way site), Dover. 2)    APPROVE the provision of temporary accommodation arrangements subject to requirement as set out in the report. 3)    DELEGATE authority to the Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Director of Education and SEND, the General Counsel/Head of Law (or other officer with delegated authority) , in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, to enter into any negotiations, and contracts or contract variations that may be required. 4)    DELEGATE authority to the Director of Infrastructure to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant contractual agreements and to enter into such variations as envisaged under any of these contracts.   Reason for the decision   In May 2016 it was agreed to expand Whitfield Aspen Primary School (Dover) on to a satellite site at Richmond Way (Decision Number 16/00032). Since the building has been occupied, a number of buildings issues have been identified which need addressing.   Options (other options considered but discarded)   The alternative options available to the Council to ensure the safe running of the school and protect KCC’s position will be outlined in the exempt report.   How the proposed decision supports the Framing Kent's Future - Our Council Strategy 2022-2026   The proposed decision supports priorities one and two of Framing Kent’s Future:   Commitment under priority one – Levelling up Kent: ·                To maintain KCC’s strategic role in supporting schools in Kent to deliver accessible, high quality education provision for all families. Commitments under priority two – Infrastructure for communities: ·                Through our ‘Infrastructure First’ commitment we seek to ensure that new development provides the appropriate physical and social infrastructure necessary to support new and existing communities’ quality of life. ·                To help all Kent’s communities benefit from having a strong social fabric which underpins family, community, and personal resilience.   How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022 -2026: Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery Strategy.pdf   The proposed decision is compliant with objective 3 of Securing Kent’s Future – the Council has made a policy choice to secure the expansion of the school on the Richmond Way site. This is supporting the Council to discharge its statutory responsibility of ensuring all children have access to a school place.    

Content: Proposed decision –That the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, be asked to:   1)    APPROVE the Allocation of further funding from the Children’s, Young People and Education capital budgets to enable building issues to be rectified at Whitfield Aspen Primary School (Richmond Way site), Dover. 2)    APPROVE the provision of temporary accommodation arrangements subject to requirement as set out in the report. 3)    DELEGATE authority to the Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Director of Education and SEND, the General Counsel/Head of Law (or other officer with delegated authority) , in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, to enter into any negotiations, and contracts or contract variations that may be required. 4)    DELEGATE authority to the Director of Infrastructure to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant contractual agreements and to enter into such variations as envisaged under any of these contracts.   Reason for the decision   In May 2016 it was agreed to expand Whitfield Aspen Primary School (Dover) on to a satellite site at Richmond Way (Decision Number 16/00032). Since the building has been occupied, a number of buildings issues have been identified which need addressing.   Options (other options considered but discarded)   The alternative options available to the Council to ensure the safe running of the school and protect KCC’s position will be outlined in the exempt report.   How the proposed decision supports the Framing Kent's Future - Our Council Strategy 2022-2026   The proposed decision supports priorities one and two of Framing Kent’s Future:   Commitment under priority one – Levelling up Kent: ·                To maintain KCC’s strategic role in supporting schools in Kent to deliver accessible, high quality education provision for all families. Commitments under priority two – Infrastructure for communities: ·                Through our ‘Infrastructure First’ commitment we seek to ensure that new development provides the appropriate physical and social infrastructure necessary to support new and existing communities’ quality of life. ·                To help all Kent’s communities benefit from having a strong social fabric which underpins family, community, and personal resilience.   How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022 -2026: Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery Strategy.pdf   The proposed decision is compliant with objective 3 of Securing Kent’s Future – the Council has made a policy choice to secure the expansion of the school on the Richmond Way site. This is supporting the Council to discharge its statutory responsibility of ensuring all children have access to a school place.     As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree to:   1)    APPROVE the allocation of up to a total of £5.3m from either the Children’s, Young People or Education capital and revenue budgets, as appropriate, to enable building issues to be rectified at Whitfield Aspen Primary School (Richmond Way site), Dover.   2)    APPROVE the provision of temporary accommodation arrangements subject to requirement as set out in the report.   3)    DELEGATE authority to the Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Director of Education and SEND, the General Counsel/Head of Law (or other officer with delegated authority) and the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, to enter into any negotiations, and contracts or contract variations that may be required.   4)    DELEGATE authority to the Director of Infrastructure to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant contractual agreements and to enter into such variations as envisaged under any of these contracts.

Date of Decision: March 21, 2025