Councillor Tamoor Tariq, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Skills, presented the report regarding the successful application from Star Academies to establish a new secondary school in Radcliffe.
Councillor Tariq advised that the agreement to establish the new school is between the Department for Education (DfE) and the Star Academies Trust, and construction of a new school building will be for them to deliver. The Council clearly has an interest and this report set out those matters which require the Council’s commitment and agreement along with the wider considerations in respect of the site for the new school, the capital funding implications to the Council, and matters relating to the existing use of the Spring Lane site.
In response to a Member’s question, it was noted that Star Academies Trust were the preferred partner owing to their reputation, their experience across the country and their relationship with the DfE. Members thanked the Cabinet Member and Officers for their work, which had been in motion since before the general election of December 2019.
Decision:
· To formally welcome this important result for Bury, Star Academies and Radcliffe.
· To note the previous decisions of the Council in respect of the Spring Lane site, and the intention to commission a study to determine the extent of the site to be utilised for the school, whilst preserving access to the adjacent development site.
· To note that there is a financial commitment by the Council to the delivery of the scheme, and it is anticipated that this be funded from the school’s capital budget, and that this will be subject to Cabinet approval when the detail is known.
· To note the alignment of the delivery of the school to the Radcliffe Strategic Regeneration Framework.
· To note the continuing close partnership working between the Council, Star Academies and the Department for Education.
· To note that discussions are underway for the acquisition of additional land to support the delivery of the school and its ancillary uses and that a further report would be brought back to Cabinet seeking approval for any acquisition.
Reasons for the decision:
Whilst the delivery of the new school project will primarily be driven by DfE and Star Academies, the continuing contribution of the Council is essential to ensure successful delivery, and alignment with the objectives of the Radcliffe SRF.
Other options considered and rejected:
None. Master-planning of the site will take place in order to identify the full extent of the site for the new school and consider any implications to existing site usage. There will be ongoing community engagement and stakeholder consultation as the project develops.