Issue - meetings

Conversion of The Grange School to Wade Deacon Trust

Meeting: 20/07/2017 - Executive Board (Item 18)

18 Conversion of The Grange School to Wade Deacon Trust - Key Decision pdf icon PDF 305 KB

Minutes:

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, which provided a summary of the arrangements for the conversion of The Grange School to Wade Deacon Trust, and also sought authority to undertake any actions necessary to effect the transfer.

 

The Board was advised that The Grange School was an All-through school catering for pupils from age 3 to 16. It was funded through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) with service commencement from April 2013.

 

It was reported that the Local Authority had received an Academy Order from the Secretary of State for Schools in October 2016, which approved the conversion of The Grange School to Academy Status, as part of the Wade Deacon Trust. Due to the complexity of the conversion, a  request was made to the Department for Education to provide financial assistance to secure specialist legal support.

 

The Board noted that in May 2017, the law firm Freeths were commissioned to work alongside Halton’s Legal Services to represent the Council’s interests during the academy conversion. Given the delay in commencing negotiations, the original conversion date had been delayed. However, a number of key documents would require amendment and agreement, as set out in the report, but which included the School’s Agreement, the Principal Agreement, the Long Term Lease, Service Level Agreements and the Deed of Variation to the PFI contract.

 

Reason(s) For Decision

 

To seek delegated approval to facilitate the conversion of The Grange School to Wade Deacon Trust.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

 

All key documents considered and agreed by Executive Board. This option was rejected due to the number of changes required, the number of partners involved and the impact this would have on the timescale for conversion.

 

Implementation Date

 

Delegated powers to take effect from July 2017.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

1)    The appointment of the law firm Freeths to act for the Authority in the conversion of The Grange PFI School be noted;

 

2)    Authority be delegated to the Operational Director, Education, Inclusion and Provision, in consultation with the Portfolio holder for Children, Young People and Families, to agree to the following:-

 

i)                 Schools Agreement;

ii)               Principal Agreement;

iii)              Deed of Variation;

iv)             Lease;

v)               Service Level Agreement for Resource Base Provision;

vi)             Shared Use Agreement; and

vii)            Commercial Transfer Agreement.

 

3)     Authority is delegated to the Operational Director, Education, Inclusion and Provision, in conjunction with the Portfolio holder for Children, Young People and Families, to undertake any actions necessary to effect the conversion.