The County Council’s Lockdown Policy for schools was published in 2019 and provides guidance on managing the safety of staff and pupils during a potential security incident. As a result of individual school risk assessments, carried out to meet the requirements of the Policy, a number of schools have requested exceptional support with funding improvements to school sites which directly link with ensuring the safeguarding of the children in their care. These requests mainly relate to the need for improved boundary fencing to secure the school site. Current funding devolved to schools direct, i.e. devolved formula capital grant is not proving sufficient to fully fund these works.
The capital maintenance budget for the 2021/22 year is fully committed, therefore a specific capital allocation is sought to enable improvements to be carried out at a number of school sites to minimise the risk to pupils and staff of intruders and/or to ensure the site is sufficiently secure to ensure pupils are safe and secure whilst on site.
The Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills will be asked to approve the allocation of funding for these works to be financed from funds within the approved capital programme.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure > £500,000;
Decision status: For Determination
Divisions affected: (All Divisions);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 18/06/2021
Decision due: August 2021 by Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills (Cllr Nigel Jupp)
Lead member: Councillor Nigel Jupp nigel.jupp@westsussex.gov.uk
Contact: Leigh Hunnikin, Project Manager Email: leigh.hunnikin@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033 022 23051.
Consultation process
Representations concerning this proposed decision can be made to the Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills via the author or officer contact, by the beginning of the month in which the decision is due to be taken.
Democratic Services Contact: Wendy Saunders Tel: 033 022 22553