The Council’s proposes further investment plans in the Education portfolio for the 2023/24 financial year to support Trafford’s corporate priority to support children out of poverty and to have the best start in life. Enabling pupils to thrive and achieve their educational outcomes through fit for purpose and high-quality learning environments.

The Council also has a general duty under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to provide a safe working environment and hence respond to condition issues, which have health and safety implications.

To support the achievement of this duty, and to meet any risks in relation to school conditions and access, the Council is awaiting DfE funding announcement but has assumed a similar level of DfE funding as in 2022/23 and hence has an indicative allocation of £2.477 million for Capital Maintenance for 2023/24.

(1)       That the proposals contained within both the report and the confidential Part II report, be approved as the detailed capital programme for 2023/24, specifically:

        To carry out condition and access work, as detailed in Appendix A: Proposed Capital Projects, Capital Maintenance Programme, Table 1.

(2)       That, due to the reasons of urgency set out in the report, this decision shall not be subject to the call-in process.

To ensure compliance with the Council’s statutory duties as highlighted in Section 4 – Legal Position, of the report.

To enhance educational facilities in Trafford schools for children and young people.

To support Trafford’s corporate priority to support children out of poverty and to have the best start in life, by ensuring that pupils are able to thrive and achieve their educational outcomes through fit for purpose and high-quality learning environments.

The implications of not progressing with the capital maintenance schemes are that there will be health and safety issues for schools that could potentially close the schools for a period whilst urgent remedial works are undertaken.

The Capital Maintenance grant is not ring-fenced and could be used for other Council priorities, however, it works towards meeting the Council’s Corporate Priorities of “supporting children out of poverty and to have the best start in life”.

None.