The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To note the latest five to seven year pupil place projections for the Tower Hamlets area, prepared in conjunction with the Greater London Authority and in consultation with neighbouring local authorities;

2.    To note the progress made and latest position in relation to:

·       supply of primary school places in the borough;

·       the plans and options for future school developments to meet the need for additional primary places in the east of the borough;

·       the progress of the development of the new Mulberry Academy Secondary School at London Dock for September 2023;

·       the progress of the development of the site at Westferry Printworks to serve as a new building for Canary Wharf College 3 Free School;

·       the progress and plans for the rebuild of George Green’s Secondary School;

3.    To agree the recommendation for a statutory notice to be issued for the proposed amalgamation (merger) of Old Church Nursery and Marion Richardson Primary Schools (paras 3.26-3.32 of the report).

4.    To note the specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 5 and Appendix 3 to the report.

5.    To note that the content of this report aligns with the functions of the council as a Local Planning Authority, and the approach taken to make best use of the current allocation of school sites in the Local Plan.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN AND CULTURE

(Service Head (Pupil Access and School Sufficiency) (T. Bryan)

Councillor Asma Begum, Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Children, Youth Services, Education and Equalities, introduced the report setting out the planning for school places for 2021/22 and subsequent years. She highlighted that actions were being taken to reduce the number of spaces, such as through school mergers and closures, where there was a surplus and that new provision was being developed in areas of high demand.

In particular, new primary places were required in the East of the borough. Plans were also in place for new secondary school places at London Docks and Westferry Printworks amongst other projects. George Green School was also being redeveloped.

The report included recommendations around the merger of Old Church Nursery and Marion Richardson Primary school. It was noted that there were some particular challenges in relation to pupil place planning, for example around new housing provision and the impact of Brexit. Officers and school leaders were thanked for their engagement in often difficult conversations. The challenge of providing enough spaces in the East of the borough was also noted.

The Mayor welcomed the report. He noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses and proposed the recommendations as set out. These were unanimously agreed by Members present and it was:

RESOLVED

1.    To note the latest five to seven year pupil place projections for the Tower Hamlets area, prepared in conjunction with the Greater London Authority and in consultation with neighbouring local authorities;

2.    To note the progress made and latest position in relation to:

·       supply of primary school places in the borough;

·       the plans and options for future school developments to meet the need for additional primary places in the east of the borough;

·       the progress of the development of the new Mulberry Academy Secondary School at London Dock for September 2023;

·       the progress of the development of the site at Westferry Printworks to serve as a new building for Canary Wharf College 3 Free School;

·       the progress and plans for the rebuild of George Green’s Secondary School;

3.    To agree the recommendation for a statutory notice to be issued for the proposed amalgamation (merger) of Old Church Nursery and Marion Richardson Primary Schools (paras 3.26-3.32 of the report).

4.    To note the specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 5 and Appendix 3 to the report.

5.    To note that the content of this report aligns with the functions of the council as a Local Planning Authority, and the approach taken to make best use of the current allocation of school sites in the Local Plan.