Decision Details

Report of Director of Education & Skills

1. This report seeks approval for the disposal of Yardley Wood Unattached School Playing Field (USPF), Billesley, as identified in Appendix 1 and the subsequent granting of a long leasehold interest to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to support the development of the Christ Church CE Secondary Academy, (a Free School) part of the Diocese of Birmingham Academy Trust.

2. In line with the Schools Capital Programme, approved by Cabinet on 18^th September 2018, the transaction is required to enable sufficient secondary provision within the city as outlined in the annual Local Authority School Capacity Return (SCAP) 2018 submission. The Christ Church CE Secondary Academy will be a 6 Form Entry (FE) secondary school built and funded by the EFSA.

On Friday 5 April 2019 the Leader of the City Council jointly with the Chief Finance Officer and the Director of Inclusive Growth:

i)  Approved the granting of a 125 year lease at a peppercorn rent to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for the permitted use of developing a school and an attached school playing field on a tenant full repairing and insuring basis for the land identified in Appendix 1 attached to the report comprising the Yardley Wood Unattached School Playing Field (USPF);

ii)  Approved the appropriation of a small strip of land at the north of the site (Daleview Road) which is currently in the Housing Revenue Account for housing purposes under the Housing Act 1985 (area hatched blue on Appendix 1 attached to the report) to the Education and Skills Directorate to enable appropriate access to the site which will be used for educational purposes under the Academies Act 2010;

iii)  Authorised the City Solicitor to negotiate, execute and complete all necessary documentation to give effect to the above.

NOTE CALL IN ENDS WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL 2019 AT 1600 HOURS.