Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Lelliott (in advisory role)

Commissioner:         Kenny

Recommendations:

1.    That the proposal of a new 10 year lease, with an option to break after 5 years to Rotherham Borough Council, to allow the transfer of the Woodland Room be approved.

2.    That the Assistant Director, Planning, Regeneration and Transport be authorised to negotiate the terms of the 10 year lease with an option to break after 5 years with the Wickersley Partnership Trust.

3.    That the Assistant Director of Legal Services be authorised to complete the necessary documentation for the lease.

Consideration was given to a report which sought approval for the Council to enter into negotiations with the Wickersley Partnership Trust to take on a 10 year lease of the Woodland Room with an option to break after five years.

It was noted that the Rowan Centre was Rotherham’s designated Health Pupil Referral Unit which included the Children and Adolescents Mental Health Service (CAMHS) education element and the Home Tuition Service. The Rowan Centre offered academic, pastoral care and guidance, family support and a therapeutic offer to some of Rotherham’s children and young people with the highest levels of special education needs and those who were highly vulnerable.

It was reported that the Rowan Centre building was small and the number of young person’s using the service was growing considerably.  As a consequence the service had become oversubscribed with several children requiring education outside of the authority at a significantly higher cost. Adjacent to the Rowan Centre was the Woodland Room, which was a separate building and part of the Monkwood Academy estate, and had been vacated prior to consideration of the report.

It was reported that the use of such additional space would enable the Rowan Centre to accommodate the needs of an increasing number of younger children who had complex mental health needs and in doing so allow the Council to intervene early and so avoid out of authority placements.

Commissioner Kenny agreed:-

(1)  That the proposal of a new 10 year lease, with an option to break after 5 years to Rotherham Borough Council, to allow the transfer of the Woodland Room be approved.

(2)  That the Assistant Director, Planning, Regeneration and Transport be authorised to negotiate the terms of the 10 year lease with an option to break after 5 years with the Wickersley Partnership Trust.

(3)  That the Assistant Director of Legal Services be authorised to complete the necessary documentation for the lease.