Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services, which provided an update on the temporary accommodation arrangements for the City of London Primary Academy Islington (COLPAI).

In response to a questions concerning the risk of the school not opening in September, officers advised that a report to address outstanding elements of the planning conditions would be presented to committee in May which it was expected would remove any risk in this area.

In relation to further queries concerning funding, it was advised that it was anticipated the Department for Education would underwrite costs but this would not be known for certain until July. In the event of any shortfall, the Chamberlain was confident that this could be met.

It was also confirmed that a post-project review would be undertaken in respect of the wider COLPAI development, given the various issues experienced to-date.

RESOLVED: That it be noted that:

1.     There would be an additional cost of £267k for retaining the temporary accommodation for COLPAI over the summer term, pending completion of the permanent construction.

2.     The ‘one-in, one-out’ principle would be applied to identify City’s Cash funding from existing 2020/21 provisions for new bids.