Cabinet were advised of the outcome of the further consultation process which had taken place in the Leasowe and Wallasey areas in respect of the option to establish a Joint Church school in Leasowe. The option was previously consulted upon in Spring 2007 during Phase 3 of the Primary Places Review. The report described the option, the responses to it, and made recommendations with regard to statutory proposals in relation to the option.

Resolved – That

(1)  the two Diocesan bodies be given all necessary assistance in submitting an application to the Secretary of State in order to seek a waiver of the requirement to hold a competition;

(2)  the Director of Children’s Services be authorised to take all necessary steps to publish proposals, ensure the prescribed procedures are followed for the closure of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School and the establishment of a Joint Church school at the Our Lady of Lourdes site, the exact procedure being dependent on the outcome of the application in (1) above;

(3)  the published admission number of the Joint Church school be maintained at 25 pupils for a period of three years from implementation, reviewed and amended if preference popularity is deemed to have increased; and

(4)  should the Joint Church school be approved and implemented as in (2), the Leasowe area be moved from Phase 6 of the Primary Places Review to Phase 8 accordingly.