Provisional plans for new investment to ensure sufficient school places in areas experiencing housing growth are set to be considered by North Yorkshire Council.
Councillors are being asked to approve the next phase of the council’s Basic Need Programme during an executive meeting on Tuesday 18th August. The initiative supports the authority’s statutory requirement to provide adequate school places for children of school age across the county.
While overall pupil numbers in North Yorkshire are forecast to decline by 3.6 per cent over the next four years, localised demand is expected to rise in specific communities where new housing developments are being constructed.
The report before the executive details investment proposals spanning this year and 2027 to address anticipated future capacity issues. The funding will target specific zones where residential development is driving higher family populations.
Previous projects delivered through the Basic Need Programme include the construction of Oakbridge Church of England Primary School in Northallerton and the expansion of Barlby Community Primary School near Selby.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said: “Ensuring every child has access to a school place remains one of the council’s most important responsibilities. While pupil numbers are falling in some parts of the county, significant housing growth means that the need for school places is increasing in others. We must continue to plan ahead so that families can access high-quality education close to where they live.”
The full report on the Basic Need Programme is available to view on the North Yorkshire Council website ahead of next week’s meeting.
