The Cabinet has decided to approve various school projects and funding allocations to address emerging needs for school places.

URL: https://democracy.medway.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2183

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Summary This report will review and update the Cabinet on the actions from the School Place Planning Strategy. It will outline the current position relating to the sufficiency of school places and ask the Cabinet to agree further actions required to address emerging need based upon analysis of the most up to date information and data.   Access to Information The report together with any other documents being considered (unless they contain exempt information) will be available for inspection 5 clear days before the decision is taken by the Cabinet. Copies are available on the Council's website or requested from Democratic Services Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR or email [email protected]. If you wish to submit information to the Cabinet about the item please also contact Democratic Services.

Content: Summary This report will review and update the Cabinet on the actions from the School Place Planning Strategy. It will outline the current position relating to the sufficiency of school places and ask the Cabinet to agree further actions required to address emerging need based upon analysis of the most up to date information and data.   Access to Information The report together with any other documents being considered (unless they contain exempt information) will be available for inspection 5 clear days before the decision is taken by the Cabinet. Copies are available on the Council's website or requested from Democratic Services Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR or email [email protected]. If you wish to submit information to the Cabinet about the item please also contact Democratic Services. Background:   This annual review showed areas of demand and made recommendations to ensure that sufficient school places would be available.   The report set out that Medway Council has a statutory duty to provide sufficient school places. The School Place Planning Strategy describes the principles, methods, and challenges of this duty.   The proposals in the annual review follow the School Place Planning Strategy Principles. They also support the Council Plan sub-priority to “Ensure all children and young people access a high-quality, inclusive education.” Delivery of any approved proposals would be through available funding in the Education Capital Programme.   On 27 March 2025 the Department for Education had announced that Medway would receive £25,497,189 of Basic Need funding for the period 2026 to 2028. They also announced £4,837,957 of High Needs Provision Capital for 2025/26.   Decision number:   Decision:   The Cabinet noted the progress made, which had ensured the Council had met its duty, and sufficient school places were available.   112/2025 The Cabinet recommended to Council the addition of the school projects marked as “new”, as listed in paragraph 9.2 of the report, to the education capital programme.   113/2025 The Cabinet recommended to Council the additional funding for the school projects marked as “additional funding”, as listed in paragraph 9.2 of the report.   114/2025 The Cabinet approved commencement of the design and tender processes for the projects listed in paragraph 9.2 of the report, which would follow the Council’s Gateway procedures or approved funding agreements, at the appropriate time for each project.   115/2025 The Cabinet approved the change of designation of the remainder of the Cornwallis Avenue site, currently allocated as cemetery extension, for education use, as set out in paragraph 8.6 of the report.   116/2025 The Cabinet approved the allocation of that land to the Maritime Academy Trust under a standard academy lease to be utilised for Danecourt secondary phase, as set out in paragraph 8.7 of the report.   117/2025 The Cabinet approved a commitment to borrow up to £16.21 million to cover the potential shortfall in available funding, to create and establish a Danecourt Secondary School, as set out in paragraphs 8.8 to 8.15 of the report.   118/2025 The Cabinet approved the current Inspire Academy site, when vacated, for use for The Beeches Free School, as set out in paragraph 8.16 of the report.   119/2025 The Cabinet authorised the Director of People to commence the relevant statutory processes required for expansions and new schools at the appropriate time, as set out in paragraph 9.2 of the report.   Reasons:   Approving the recommendations in section 1 of the report will ensure that the Council meets its statutory duty to provide sufficient school places, and the most effective and appropriate use of public funds.

Date of Decision: August 26, 2025