Mayor L. Rahman declared a personal interest in Agenda item 7.1 “Proposed Mulberry & Bigland Green Centre” (CAB 060/101). The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to Mulberry Secondary Girls School, and Mayor Rahman’s daughter attended Mulberry Secondary Girls School.

Resolved:

1.                  That the proposed collaboration agreement to be entered into by the governing bodies of Mulberry School for Girls, Bigland Green Primary School and the Authority, as set out in paragraph 6.4 of the report (CAB 060/101), be approved;

2.                  That the proposed terms of the lease, outlined in paragraphs 6.9 – 6.12 of the report (CAB 060/101), including a service level agreement detailing the services to be provided in lieu of rent, be approved;

3.                  That the arrangements for the leaseback of part of the Mulberry and Bigland Green Centre for use as children’s centre provision be approved;

4.                  That the Acting Corporate Director, Children, Schools and Families, the Corporate Director Development and Renewal and the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) be authorised to execute all necessary documents including the collaboration agreement, the lease, service level agreement and, when the centre is completed, the leaseback of part of the Mulberry and Bigland Green Centre for the children’s centre provision on the terms proposed.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES (I. CATTERMOLE)

Interim Service Head Resources, Children Schools and Families (K. Bingham)

Head of Building Development, Children Schools and Families, (P. Watson)

Mayor L. Rahman declared a personal interest in Agenda item 7.1 “Proposed Mulberry & Bigland Green Centre” (CAB 060/101). The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations relating to Mulberry Secondary Girls School, and Mayor Rahman’s daughter attended Mulberry Secondary Girls School.

Ms Cattermole, Acting Corporate Director Children, Schools and Families, at the request of the Mayor, in introducing the report:

·                    Summarised the key points contained therein, highlighting in particular that:

o                   This was an innovative scheme based on close partnership working between Mulberry School for Girls and Bigland Green Primary School, which occupied adjoining sites in Shadwell, which was very good news for the local Community.

o                   The proposal comprised provision of a new building, the Mulberry and Bigland Green Centre, which would encompass new facilities for a Children’s Centre, family learning activities and specialist curriculum space in the form of a theatre, principally for Mulberry School which was a specialist arts school.

o                   The land for the building fell almost entirely within the site of Bigland Green Primary School. However the principal source of the capital costs would be provided by the accumulated surplus balance of Mulberry School for Girls, although there would also be a contribution to the capital funding from the Authority’s Sure Start Programme.

o                   Both schools were completely over-subscribed and there was considerable demand for education and training which could not be provided within the schools. Both schools had developed a close working relationship over time to deliver wider services to the local community, the extension of which would be facilitated by the new Centre.

o                   For development of the Centre to proceed on a secure basis, it was proposed that the land for the building should be leased to the Richard Street Education Trust, with the annual rental value for the lease to be satisfied through the delivery of services set out in a service level agreement, initially between the school governing bodies and the Authority but later with the Trust. The SLA would be closely monitored by the Authority to ensure delivery of this value.

o                   Both schools had an equal interest in the Trust, with 3 governors from each school comprising the trustees. They also had an equal interest in the outcomes of the business plan.

·                    Addressed the matters raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 30^th November 2010, in relation to the report; as set out in the tabled sheet of questions and comments presented by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee earlier in the proceedings:

Councillor Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services:

·                    Welcomed the proposals, which he considered to be fantastic news and a reflection of the commitment of the Mayor and his Administration to improve the Council’s offer to young people in the borough. He also expressed the hope that further schemes improving facilities for young people would be seen under the leadership of Mayor Rahman.

·                    Formally thanked Ms Cattermole, Acting Corporate Director Children, Schools and Families and her officer team for the hard work undertaken in developing these wonderful proposals.

The Mayor in Moving the recommendations as set out in the report:-

·                    Welcomed the exciting proposals and looked forward to the opening of the Mulberry and Bigland Green Centre at the earliest opportunity, as it was acknowledged that there was a huge need in this part of Tower Hamlets for the services it would provide: Children’s Centre services, family learning activities and a theatre space.

And it was:-

Resolved:

1.                  That the proposed collaboration agreement to be entered into by the governing bodies of Mulberry School for Girls, Bigland Green Primary School and the Authority, as set out in paragraph 6.4 of the report (CAB 060/101), be approved;

2.                  That the proposed terms of the lease, outlined in paragraphs 6.9 – 6.12 of the report (CAB 060/101), including a service level agreement detailing the services to be provided in lieu of rent, be approved;

3.                  That the arrangements for the leaseback of part of the Mulberry and Bigland Green Centre for use as children’s centre provision be approved;

4.                  That the Acting Corporate Director, Children, Schools and Families, the Corporate Director Development and Renewal and the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) be authorised to execute all necessary documents including the collaboration agreement, the lease, service level agreement and, when the centre is completed, the leaseback of part of the Mulberry and Bigland Green Centre for the children’s centre provision on the terms proposed.

Reasons for Decisions

These are detailed in paragraph 3.1 of the report (CAB 060/101)

Alternative Options Considered

These are detailed in paragraph 4.1 of the report (CAB 060/101)