Decision details

Following notification on 26th March 2024 from the Department for Education of a further allocation of £2.1M High Needs Provision Capital Funding, and previous consultation with all schools regarding the need to expand Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) provision in Halton, the additional funding received now allows for the progression of previously discussed capital works to expand SEND provision in Halton to meet need.

The priority project is the expansion of Brookfields School (a special school in Widnes for pupils with severe and complex learning difficulties and autistic spectrum disorders, and part of the Shaw Education Trust) on the Hallwood Park Primary School site in Runcorn at a cost of circa £600k, to ensure additional places are available for September 2024 to meet need.

Due to capital project lead in time, appointment of contractors, and the need to have the works completed by the end of August 2024, awaiting the June Executive Board meeting would delay commencement of the works by circa 6 weeks, may prove difficult to obtain contractors at such short notice to undertake required works progressing into the school summer holiday period, and is likely to impact on increased costs of works should there be any delay in commencement, and if not completed, may mean the placement of children at expensive out-borough educational provision and associated transport costs.

The request is to approve spend from the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation from the DfE to allow for the capital works to progress to create additional SEND provision at Hallwood Park Primary School as part of the Brookfields School SEND offer from the Hallwood Park site from September 2024.

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