Further to minute 141 (1/10/09) the Director of Children’s Services reported upon the outcomes of the appraisal process carried out in relation to potential sites for a primary school in the North Birkenhead small planning area. The report also explained the potential routes for school re-organisation in this area and made recommendations with regard to statutory proposals.

There was general agreement amongst all stakeholders that action had to be taken to address the issue of surplus capacity. Officers were required to offer clear advice as to appropriate action in order to spend public money wisely and ensure all Wirral’s children benefited equitably from the funding available.

With the permission of the Chair the following speakers addressed the Cabinet on the proposals within the report:

·  Val Chaderton, Headteacher of Cole Street Primary School

·  Rosemary Bishop, Headteacher of Cathcart Street Primary School

The Director responded to some of the points made by the speakers and stated that his department had attempted to keep Cole Street Primary School informed of progress. The further work that Cabinet at its meeting on 1 October had asked the Director to take forward focussed on either, the closure of Cole Street Primary School and retention of Cathcart Street Primary School; or the amalgamation of Cole Street Primary School and Cathcart Street Primary School in a new build school on a new site. These proposals followed a full period of consultation last year.

The Director explained the reasons why the delivery of a new build school was unfortunately not an option at this time.

The Deputy Leader commented upon the difficulties of consulting on options when one of two options had become non-viable.

The Leader emphasised the need to consult or at the very least to have communicated what was happening to those concerned and thanked the two Headteachers for their contribution. 

Councillor Clarke referred to all the good work at Cole Street Primary School and stated that all the staff, governors, support staff and pupils should be congratulated. She remarked that it was never easy to take a decision to close a school but acknowledged the action that had to be taken to address surplus capacity. Having then moved a motion, seconded by Councillor Holbrook, it was –

Resolved – That,

(1) statutory proposals be published in respect of the following option:

Option A2, closure of Cole Street Primary School from August 2011;

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

(3) Cabinet reaffirms the commitment previously given in May 2008 to the high prioritisation of Primary Capital Programme funding for projects arising from the Primary Places Review;

(4) should the proposal be approved, a further report be brought to Cabinet at the appropriate time regarding options for the Cathcart Street site.