Council chiefs pulled up on overestimating the number of school places needed in Warwickshire

COUNCIL chiefs have been pulled up on overestimating the number of school places needed in Warwickshire.

Warwickshire County Council’s children and young people’s overview and scrutiny committee called in WCC’s Annual Education Sufficiency Update after it was approved by Cabinet back in December.

The report aims to ensure the county has enough school places to meet future needs.

But the scrutiny committee raised concerns around forecasting assumptions, particularly around migration, housing delivery and the potential risk of creating too many places in certain areas.

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The committee stated that an over provision of school places would undermine the viability of some existing primary schools. Committee members pointed out that while new housing was being built across the county, new housing in itself does not create people. NHS data reveals there has been a local reduction in population of around ten per cent since Covid, due to low birth rates and a sharp reduction in the net migration into Warwickshire.

While the committee resolved not to overturn Cabinet’s original decision, it unanimously agreed to refer three recommendations back to Cabinet for consideration.

Cabinet has now approved those recommendations, which are – the production of sensitivity analysis data on forecasts at a local level, the organisation of district and borough area sufficiency workshops for elected members and the re-evaluation of planning areas at secondary school level.

Annual district and borough workshops will be organised by the Education Service, providing members with the opportunity to learn more about forecasting data and local intelligence.

The first round of workshops is scheduled for June. This will ensure feedback can inform the next Annual Education Sufficiency Update, typically presented to Cabinet each December.

Planning areas, which are set locally and require authorisation from the Department for Education, will continue to be reviewed.

WCC’s education spokesperson Coun Wayne Briggs said: “Ensuring we have the right number of school places across the county is one of our most important responsibilities. Forecasting is complex and must take account of a range of factors, including housing growth, birth rates and migration patterns.

“I welcome the constructive scrutiny provided by the children and young people’s overview and scrutiny committee and am pleased that Cabinet has approved these recommendations.

“These steps will help ensure that future sufficiency updates continue to be evidence-led and responsive to local circumstances, supporting strong, sustainable schools for Warwickshire’s children and young people.”