Report No. 153/2017 from the Director for People was received.

Mrs Curtis, Head of Learning and Skills, presented the report, the purpose of which was to provide information relating to the lease of land and buildings and the Commercial Transfer Agreement (CTA) as part of the Academy Conversion of Exton and Greetham Church of England Primary School; and to seek Cabinet approval of the recommendations set out in the report.

During discussion the following points were raised:

1. Mrs Curtis clarified to Cabinet that the transfer of land was to be included as a recommendation. (Recommendation 4 below).
2. Mrs Curtis informed Cabinet that the Regional Schools Commissioner and OFSTED both monitor the grouping of academies or Multi Academy Trusts.
3. OFSTED were developing a framework for the inspection of Multi Academy Trusts.
4. Rutland County Council’s Learning and Skills team would continue to support schools when required; and
5. The anticipated date of conversion is 1^st November 2017, with the running of the Academy starting from 1^st September 2017. Academy status conversions officially commence on the 1^st of a month.

DECISION

1.    Cabinet AUTHORISED the grant of a 125 year lease of the land and buildings occupied by Exton and Greetham Church of England Primary School to Rutland Learning Trust Limited.

2.    Cabinet AUTHORISED the execution and completion of a Commercial Transfer Agreement (CTA) between the Council, Exton and Greetham Church of England Primary School and Rutland Learning Trust Limited.

3.    Cabinet DELEGATED authority to the Director for Places to complete the agreement of the final terms of the lease of land and buildings and the CTA referred to in recommendations 1 and 2 of Report No. 153/2017.

4.    Cabinet AUTHORISED the statutory transfer of the freehold of the land forming the built area of Exton and Greetham Church of England Primary School from Rutland County Council to Peterborough Dioceses Board of Finance.

Reason for Decision

1.    The Academy Order from the Secretary of State had been received confirming that Exton and Greetham Church of England Primary School would convert to an academy.  The DfE expected the Council to cooperate with the conversion process and if the recommendations were not approved there was a risk of the Secretary of State making transfer schemes binding on the Council.

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Mr M Loran joined the meeting at 10.09 am

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