Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE17/37) on a proposal to change residential provision from termly to weekly boarding, attached.     

(Councillor Connett attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/37) on a proposal to change residential provision from termly to weekly boarding.    

The Governing Body of Marland had proposed changing boarding provision from a Termly (7 Day/Night boarding) to a Weekly (5 Day/4 Night boarding) basis for pupils with Social, Emotional and/or Mental Health issues with effect from September 2017, to better target resources, continue to raise educational standards and align with changes in parental/carer demand. 

The Governing Body had consulted on the change in the residential boarding provision at the school and was now seeking approval to implement this change. In accordance with statutory requirements, a Brief Notice and Full Proposal had been published in May 2017 with a formal four week representation period.  No responses had been received.

The Head of Service acknowledged that Marland School had experienced a significant change in recent years from both new admission students and parent/carers who had expressed preference for a weekly placement rather than the current termly default offer, notwithstanding that the primary aim of all student referrals was educational.  Nonetheless children’s needs were becoming more complex and as development continued throughout Devon the pressure for these places would undoubtedly increase and the change in provision would  ensure that demand was met within this School.

The Head of Service’s Report also incorporated an Impact Assessment relating to the possible impacts of the proposal, which had been circulated previously for the attention of Members at this meeting in order that as part of its determination of the next steps in the process the Cabinet might have full regard to the responsibilities placed upon it to exercise its Public Sector Equality Duty, under s149 of the Equality Act 2010, where relevant.  The Assessment recognised the positive impact of the Strategy and that no unmanageable impacts had been identified.

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, environmental, risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service’s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:

It was MOVED by Councillor McInnes, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

RESOLVED

(a)that approval be given to implementing the Governing Body’s proposal to convert from Termly to Weekly residential boarding provision at Marland School with effect from September 2017;

(b) that the Torridge HATOC be asked to explore the Parish Council’s suggestion for a passing place to be provided between Broomhill Farm and Beacon Hill.

[NB: The Impact Assessment referred to above may be viewed at:  http://new.devon.gov.uk/impact/].