Agenda item

A related appendix containing exempt information is listed at 10.1 below.

With reference to Article 17 of the minute of the Council meeting of 1 October, 2007, the Committee had before it a report which sought approval to conduct an options appraisal on the redevelopment of the Cordyce site to improve provision for children and young people with additional support needs arising from social, emotional and behaviouralneeds, on a spend-to-save basis.

At its meeting on 1 October, 2007, the Council had approved the Transformation Strategy which had included the following recommendations:-

(a)       in conjunction with the review of school estates and the Corporate Asset Management Strategy, to instruct officers to undertake a feasibility study for building/refurbishing and managing a full time placement facility for children and young people with social, emotional and behavioural needs;  and a close support/semi-secure facility;  and

(b)       the rebuild of a full time placement facility for children and young people with social, emotional and behavioural needs as part of the School/Learning Estate Strategy.

The report advised that the proposal before Committee was part of a wider review of inclusion aimed at improving and developing a continuum of support for children and young people within Aberdeen City to ensure best outcomes for all, while linking into the Social Care and Wellbeing plans for service redesign.

It was noted that the Cordyce School building was not fit for purpose to provide the standard of education expected in the 21^st century.   It was, however, situated on a large open site which was suitable for redevelopment, and would allow the range of outdoor space at the site to be used to enhance the learning environment for pupils.  

It was proposed that an options appraisal be carried out on a spend-to-save basis, which would involve site surveys, ground investigations and concept designs.   Although the proposal to build a new facility on the Cordyce School site would have long term financial implications, the report advised that spend on out of authority placements, residential care and education had increased over the past decade, with a £7.5m cost in 2008/2009.   While overspend on the budget had reduced, in order to ensure that the out of authority spend reduced still further, it was essential that the Council improved local provision to support children and young people within the city, and the spend-to-save proposal would lead to revenue savings through more effective and efficient building infrastructure.  

The report advised that if the options appraisal was approved by Committee, the matter would then be referred to the meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee of 6 May, 2010, for approval of the funding for the options appraisal.   Information on the content of the options appraisal and the approximate cost to carry out the study was contained in a confidential appendix to be considered by the Committee in private session later in the meeting. 

Appended to the report was a diagram which detailed stage provision for children and young people with additional support needs arising from social, emotional and behavioural factors.

The report recommended:-

(a)       that the Committee instruct officers to conduct an options appraisal on the redevelopment of the Cordyce site to include, in addition to a replacement school, a specialist residential facility on a spend-to-save basis, subject to confirmation of the required funding;

(b)       that the Committee instruct officers to refer the report to Finance and Resources Committee on 6 May, 2010, for approval of the funding of the options appraisal;  and

(c)        if the Finance and Resources Committee agreed funding of the options appraisal, that the Education, Culture and Sport Committee instruct officers to bring a further report to Committee on 18 November, 2010 on the outcome of the options appraisal.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations contained in the report.