1

Minutes of last meeting

These were accepted as a true record.

2

Matters arising

There were no matters arising outside of agenda items.

3

BSF Update (PG/MJC/MC)

Now very close to appointing the preferred bidder although there are a few snagging issues to resolve. 

There is expected to be a 6 – 9 months period required to conclude negotiations on Phase 1 and there is also a risk of a further delay due to the possibility of a judicial review.  It is expected that Phase 1 schools will not open until Christmas 2007 at the earliest.  As final negotiations for Phase 2 cannot proceed until Phase 1 is complete this in turn means an expected opening date for the special schools of September 2008.   This view has been taken in consultation with heads who have agreed the principle that a reorganisation of this nature needs to take place at the beginning of an academic year.  For this to be a realistic implementation date will require planning permission to be gained and designs for the schools completed by December 2006.   This will require a lot of hard work from all parties to get to that stage.

The plan is for the co-located schools to be completed at the same time however priority will be given to ensuring that shared and special school facilities are completed.  Assurances were given that all aspects of the building programme would not be compromised; the preferred bidder having an excellent reputation for delivering high quality innovative proposals.

The announcement of the preferred bidder will be made on Thursday, 12 January.  Communication systems are in place to ensure that Headteachers, staff and parents are informed before it is published by the press.  It was also agreed to announce that the firm target date for implementation will be September 2008 and that it was necessary to reiterate that all the schools will be opening at the same time.

To help special school headteachers with any enquiries from the press post bidder announcement, a number of suggested comments will be drawn up.  Action DW.

MC commented that although the implementation date is now likely to be September 2008 there continues to be support from all areas for the programme.

SG enquired about progress on the options appraisal.  MJC stated that this had not progressed as quickly as expected due to a delay in agreeing the scope of Phase 2 with Partnerships for Schools.  By the end of the month these should be completed with campus based meetings on the secondary sites early in February.  SG requested that the secondary special schools remain in the loop in terms of progress.

4

AOB

The Timeline – It was agreed that a new timeline be drawn up with a September 2008 deadline.  Action – PC to talk to individuals to discuss how the new timeline will operate.

5

Date and time of next meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, 20 January at 10.30 am at Future House.