The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Children’s Services which updated Members on the statutory consultations which had been held for the proposal to relocate Foxfield Special School, from its current site in Moreton, to Woodchurch and requested the approval of the publication of statutory notices.

The Director of Children’s Services reported that further advice had been received from the Planning Department indicating that, as the proposed site was in Wirral’s Green Belt, special circumstances would need to be demonstrated if the new build was to be approved. These requirements had now been met but the decision would need to be referred to the Secretary of State.

Mrs Hassall further indicated that consultation would need to be held Sports England would be consulted as the development would result in the loss of a school playing field. In order to deal with the timescales relating to the Statutory Notices, Cabinet was asked to agree that call be waived.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the statutory proposals be published in respect of a statutory “prescribed alteration” to transfer the site of Foxfield School from its current site in Moreton to the proposed site at Carr Bridge Road, Woodchurch;

(2)  the Director of Children’s Services be authorised to take all necessary steps to publish these proposals, ensure the prescribed procedures are followed, including requesting permissions from the Secretary of State in furtherance of the proposal; and

(3)    the call-in provisions respect of this decision be waived on the basis that a delay in implementing the urgent decision , would likely to seriously prejudice the Council’s and/or the publics interest.