URL: https://democratic.trafford.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1516

Decision Maker: Executive Member for Babies, Children and Young People

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: This report highlights the Council’s further investment plans in the Education portfolio for the 2026/27 financial year.   To support the Council’s corporate priority to ensure the best start for our children and young people, enabling pupils to thrive and achieve their educational outcomes through fit for purpose and high-quality learning environments.   The Council also has a general duty under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to provide a safe working environment and hence respond to condition issues, which have health and safety implications.   To support the achievement of this duty, and to meet any risks in relation to school conditions and access, the Council is awaiting the DfE funding announcement but has assumed a similar level of DfE funding as in 2025/26 and hence has an indicative allocation of £3.341m for Capital Maintenance for 2026/27.

Content: This report highlights the Council’s further investment plans in the Education portfolio for the 2026/27 financial year.   To support the Council’s corporate priority to ensure the best start for our children and young people, enabling pupils to thrive and achieve their educational outcomes through fit for purpose and high-quality learning environments.   The Council also has a general duty under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to provide a safe working environment and hence respond to condition issues, which have health and safety implications.   To support the achievement of this duty, and to meet any risks in relation to school conditions and access, the Council is awaiting the DfE funding announcement but has assumed a similar level of DfE funding as in 2025/26 and hence has an indicative allocation of £3.341m for Capital Maintenance for 2026/27. 1)    That approval to carry out condition and access work detailed in Appendix A: Proposed Capital Projects, Capital Maintenance Programme, Table 1, be granted.   2)    That the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance, be delegated authority to enter into any procurement exercise and to negotiate and agree the terms of any contracts and appointments for the relevant contractors and specialists required to deliver the Capital Projects, Capital Maintenance Programme, and to award such contracts and appointments. To ensure compliance with the Council’s statutory duties as highlighted in Section 4 – Legal Position.   To enhance educational facilities in Trafford schools for children and young people.   To support Trafford’s corporate priority of the best start for our children and young people, by ensuring that pupils can thrive and achieve their educational outcomes through fit for purpose and high-quality learning environments. Improving the fabric of our school buildings also allows us to support another of Trafford’s corporate priorities, addressing the climate crisis. The implications of not progressing with the capital maintenance schemes are that there will be health and safety issues for schools that could potentially close the schools for a period whilst urgent remedial works are undertaken.   The Capital Maintenance grant is not ring-fenced and could be used for other Council priorities; however, it works towards meeting the Council’s Corporate Priorities of “the best start for our children and young people” and “address the climate crisis”.

Date of Decision: March 11, 2026