Issue details

Allocation of Funding for Schools Access Initiative

The County Council encourages the inclusion, where appropriate, of all pupils with disabilities in mainstream schools.  To assist in enabling this it is proposed that additional funds are approved for the Schools Access Initiative budget to fund adaptations and improvements to school buildings to ensure their accessibility to pupils where reasonably practicable. This will improve the educational and social outcomes for children and their families and reduce the requirement for more costly specialist Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision. Works funded by the budget could include installing hygiene facilities, ramps and making acoustic improvements.

 

In February 2022 the County Council approved an allocation of £250,000 for the Schools Access Initiative for the 2022/23 financial year. The Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills will be asked to approve the allocation of additional funding from Basic Need Capital Provision to provide a School Access Initiative budget for 2023/24 to 2026/27.

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Expenditure > £500,000;

Decision status: For Determination

Divisions affected: (All Divisions);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 26/07/2022

Decision due: February 2023 by Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills (Cllr Nigel Jupp)

Lead member: Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills (Cllr Nigel Jupp)

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 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

Background papers

  • None