URL: https://democratic.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4000

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To seek approval for the proposed use and realignment of the available Education Capital grant funding to commission a feasibility study.

Content: That the Cabinet Member for Children & Young People approves the re-alignment of the Safety Valve related capital projects and financing to allocate £120k for a Feasibility Study to be undertaken for the Forest View School at Bucklers Park from the overall funding available, for the reasons set out in this report. i.       The Council initially secured approval for a new special school for pupils with autism from the Department for Education in March 2023. Progress has been made since then to appoint an Academy Trust to operate the school, which has been named Forest View. However, repeated uncertainty from the DfE over the past two years regarding the school’s funding and construction mean that its future remains uncertain.   ii.     The proposed commissioning of a Feasibility Study by the Council at this point through AtkinsRealis will help prevent further delays should the scheme receive final approval to be constructed either by the DfE or the Council. There is currently funding available from the capital funds set aside to construct new SEND facilities in the Borough which can fund the study, that will provide details on the scope of works and likely costs. If the project does not proceed, the costs incurred (£120k) will need to be charged to the general fund as abortive (revenue) costs. If the project is undertaken by the DfE, it is believed that around £80k of the costs (being the typical rate paid by DfE for such studies) could be reimbursed. Should funding be secured for the scheme to be delivered by BFC, the costs will be charged to the capital budget. The feasibility study will include 2 options for the proposed school and will take up to 4 months to develop and be issued to the Council. Do nothing and wait for a DfE announcement. At this time there is no indication when that could be. None

Date of Decision: June 27, 2025