section 77 consultation report on cotterstock road playing field by orgsg

8/19/2019 Section 77 Consultation Report on Cotterstock Road Playing Field by ORGSG

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Section 77 Consultation:

Oundle Primary School, Cotterstock Road

Playing Field

Oundle Recreation and Green Spaces Group Report

March 2016


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Report – Section 77 Consultation on OPS Cotterstock Road Playing Field

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1. Chronological Background to the section 77 consultation

Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) made the decision to re-structure the

education system in North East Northamptonshire from a three tier system to a

two tier system. This decision committed them to a £22.1m spend to see through

all the changes in the area. NCC made assurances that the funding was in place.

There were no clear indications that the selling of school playing fields were a

vital source of funding.

1.1 Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) are seeking to dispose of approximately an

acre of the playing field at the Cotterstock Road site of Oundle Primary School to fund

the decision they made in November 2014 to restructure the education system in North

East Northamptonshire from three tier to two tier.

1.2 On 10th December 2013, the NCC Cabinet Meeting approved the proposal to consult on

the principle of change to the structure of education provision within North East

Northamptonshire from three tier to two tier [Appendix 1].

1.3 The reasons given by NCC for the need for a potential change can be found within the

consultation leaflet produced by NCC and provided at all consultation meetings

[Appendix 2]. Under the heading “Why”:

• A number of individual schools in the area are experiencing falling pupil

numbers. This, in turn, has an impact on financial viability because a

school’s funding is dependent on pupil numbers.

• Parents’ changing perceptions of school performance and the

desirability of the three tier system.

• Recent Ofsted evaluations indicate that a number of schools in the

area are currently underperforming. This is adding to the negative

perception of some parents.

1.4 Consultations with parents and communities took place between Friday 10th January

2014 and Friday 21st March 2014. Minutes at each meeting were taken [Appendix 3].

During these consultation meetings, it was not made clear that the sale of school assets

would partially fund the change from three tier to two tier.


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1.5 Following a further Cabinet Meeting that took place on 15th April 2014, NCC Cabinet

approved the continuing development of this proposal for change [Appendix 4].

It was concluded that the proposal to change to a two tier system would continue to be

developed and that further details on a ‘school-by-school’ basis would be provided at the

13th May 2014 NCC Cabinet meeting [Appendix 5]. This information was then delayed

until the June 2014 Cabinet meeting [Appendix 6].

1.6 The June 2014 Cabinet Meeting of NCC approved plans for the change of the structure

of education in the Oundle, Thrapston, Kings Cliffe and surrounding area of East

Northamptonshire from three tier to two tier with the final decision deferred to NCC Full

Council. It was also agreed that further consultation on the specific school-by-school

changes would take place between 18th June and 30th July 2014.

1.7 The Oundle Primary School/Oundle & Kings Cliffe Middle School consultation was held

on the evening of 19th June 2014 at Cotterstock Road and this was the first time that

parents were informed that some of the playing field at the Cotterstock Road site of

Oundle Primary School could be sold. A site plan for the building project of the school

was displayed, with a note stating:

‘There is a proposal to dispose of part of the school site and therefore the school

boundaries may change from this currently shown.’

[Appendix 7]

No dimensions of this area were mentioned or indicated on the site map at this time.

1.8 On 9th

September 2014, the Cabinet of NCC approved the issuing of statutory notices in

relation to the school organisational changes that would effect the change from a three

to two tier system of education [Appendix 8]. This report also provided an overview of all

feedback received during the period of consultation. Included amongst the feedback was

the response from the Governing Body of Oundle Primary School. In that letter, concerns

were expressed over funding and the proposed disposal of an undefined area of the

school playing field.


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1.9 On the 18th September 2014, a Statutory Proposal to close Oundle & Kings Cliffe Middle

School on Cotterstock Road, which would become the new site of Oundle Primary

School, was placed at the school [Appendix 9].

1.10 On 11th November 2014, the Cabinet of NCC met and approved the change to the

structure of education in North East Northamptonshire [Appendix 10]. Capital costs of

this change were estimated at £22.1m with “potential capital receipts and section 106

developer contributions” funding part of the capital cost and capital borrowing making up

the remainder.

As with previous Cabinet reports, the November 2014 Cabinet Report did not name the

assets proposed for sale and there was no indication of the estimated capital receipts for

of the individual assets. The report stated “best case scenario” receipts of £14.5m and

“worst case scenario” receipts of £7m.

1.11 On 18th March 2015, Oundle Primary School (OPS) held an optional Parents Evening to

discuss the school’s transition from three tier to two tier and this was the first time

parents discovered the extent of the land proposed for sale at the, then current site of

Oundle & Kings Cliffe Middle School and future site of Oundle Primary School on

Cotterstock Road.

Oundle Recreation and Green Spaces Group (ORGSG) was founded soon after in

March 2015, by parents of OPS to lead the campaign to retain the playing field on

Cotterstock Road. This campaign was supported by a Facebook page, which allowed

parents and residents of Oundle to follow the campaign’s news and progress [Appendix

12]. A video to promote the petition was produced by ORGSG featuring pupils of Oundle

Primary School [Appendix 13].

1.12 At the 21st April 2015 Full Council meeting of Oundle Town Council, ORGSG made a

representation requesting support for the campaign for the retention of the playing field.

Oundle Town Council voted unanimously to support ORGSG’s campaign [Appendix 14].

1.13 On 25th and 27th April 2015, East Northamptonshire District Councillors, Jake Vowles,

Philip Stearn and Rupert Reichhold sent statements to ORGSG stating their opposition

to the sale of the playing field [Appendix 15].


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1.14 The Oundle Annual Town Meeting was held on 30th April 2015 and received its highest

turnout in 30 years with approximately 250 residents in attendance. ORGSG made a

representation and put forward the proposition “That the 2015 Annual Town Meeting

supports the Oundle Community Group opposing the sale of the playing field at the new

site of Oundle Primary School.” The residents of Oundle voted unanimously to support

this proposition.

1.15 On 13th May 2015, members of ORGSG met with Oundle Ward’s County Councillor,

Heather Smith to discuss the playing field. During this meeting, Cllr Smith confirmed that

a valuation on the playing field had not taken place and that NCC had recently

commissioned a planning consultancy firm (Peter Brett Associates) to undertake a

valuation of the playing field proposed for sale and to research the likelihood of planning

permission. ORGSG were assured that the contents of the report would be shared once

received by NCC. To date, NCC has yet to share this report.

1.16 On 28th May 2015, The Trustees of Oundle (Church of England) Primary School also

added their opposition to the sale of the playing field [Appendix 16].

1.17 Since the General Election of May 2015, ORGSG have been working closely with Tom

Pursglove MP on this campaign. The coordinated approach from ORGSG and Tom

Pursglove received press coverage from BBC Look East and ITV Anglia News.

1.18 On 15th June 2015, NCC put forward a new proposal that meant that most of the playing

field would be transferred over formally to Oundle Primary School [Appendix 17]. To the

best of our knowledge, the process for this transfer has yet to commence. NCC also

proposed that they would retain approximately an acre of the field.

1.19 On 16th June 2015, Cllr Heather Smith stated during a BBC Radio Northampton

interview:

"We’re reserving the right to develop the section of land. But when we come to consider

any alternative uses for this piece of land, the proposal will be subject to all the usual

planning, consultation and other statutory processes and we have no plans, to do any of

that within the immediate future. So we’re probably talking about, maybe 5 to 10 years

away. "


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1.20 Approximately 7 months later, on 5th February 2016, parents of Oundle Primary School

were informed that NCC were submitting a Section 77 application on the remaining area

of field.

1.21 On 11 March 2016, the Governing Body of Oundle Primary School reiterated their strong

opposition to the sale of the playing field. [Appendix 41]

2. Funding

NCC assured schools, governors and parents that the funding for the re-structure

from three tier to two tier was in place. NCC did not make it clear that school

assets including playing fields were a vital source of funding. Not all sources of

funding have been exhausted. Our local MP, Tom Pursglove instigated talks

between the DFE and NCC regarding central government funding options.

2.1 The 10th December 2013 Cabinet Report [Appendix 1] which recommended that NCC

undertake a consultation on the principle of change, acknowledged that there may be an

opportunity to ‘rationalise assets’ to help fund this project. However, specific assets were

never mentioned or valued at this juncture.

2.2 When the consultation on the principle of change took place, between January and

March 2014, NCC did not state that funding this educational restructure would require

the disposal of part of the Oundle Primary School Cotterstock Road field. Indeed, there

was no explicit link to the disposal of educational assets and it was not made clear that

the disposal of school assets would partially fund this change.

Consultation meetings took place across 13 school sites affected by the educational

restructure and parents and members of the community were reassured that funding

was in place to see through these changes.

2.3 Minutes were taken at each of the consultation meetings [Appendix 3] and here are

some extracts regarding the issue of funding.

“Who will be covering the building costs?


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NCC would bear the costs. Many have alleged NCC is attempting to save money. This is

not the case. This proposal is designed around improving education standards for the

children in the community. Money will be found to ensure a smooth transition from a

three-tier to a two- tier system, particularly monitoring the children and staff

development.”

“Can NCC afford the change?

There is limited funding for all schools, including the academies. NCC is of the view that

schools are entitled to become academies. It is prepared to provide funding for a co-

ordinated change.”

“Who will be funding the change?

The councillors are committed to finding the necessary funding. It is a statutory

responsibility of NCC to ensure school places are available for all children in

Northamptonshire. With decreasing budgets, this is a challenge. However, councillors

are prepared to make the investment in a co-ordinated change in this area.”

“Is this a financially-motivated move on behalf of NCC?

If the decision is made to proceed, this co-ordinated change will cost NCC. NCC could

step back allowing schools to change in a piecemeal way – this would cost NCC nothing.

Our view is for NCC to make the change in a co-ordinate way whilst the resources and

capital funding are available to do so.”

“Will the investment still be there if the system stays as a three tier system?

If there is no change then there will be no incentive for the LA to seek money to put in to

it. The money is there for a specific change and if there is no specific change there will

be no money.”

2.4 NCC have stated that the disposal of the assets were always part of the plan to fund the

change from three tier to two tier. However, this was not made clear at the public

consultations. Additionally, the Cabinet Reports of 10th December 2013, 15th April 2014

and 13th May 2014 did not state that funding would come partly from the sale of the field

on Cotterstock Road. The 15th April 2014 Cabinet Report [Appendix 4] contains two

references to potential specific site disposals. The stated sites were the current Oundle

Primary School site on Milton Rd and the Kings Cliffe site of Oundle and Kings Cliffe

Middle School.


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2.5 The Cabinet Meeting of NCC met on the 10th June 2014 and approved plans for the

change of the structure of education. The Cabinet Report from this meeting [Appendix 6],

did not name specific sites or indicate specific areas for disposal but stated that capital

costs were estimated at £20.5m with confirmation required after the completion of

feasibility studies on each of the school sites. It further stated:

“It is expected that there will be potential capital receipts and section 106 developer

contributions to fund part of the capital cost. However these will not fund the full cost and

therefore capital borrowing will be required, which will have a revenue funding

consequence.”

2.6 ‘Best case scenario’ figures from capital receipts were estimated at £14.5m with ‘worse

case scenario’ figures estimated at £7m. Evidence of how these figures were calculated

has never appeared in public documents or been revealed despite requests from

ORGSG and other parents.

2.7 It was also agreed that further consultation on the specific school-by-school changes

would take place between 18th June and 30th July 2014. The Cabinet Report dated 9 th

September 2014 [Appendix 8] contained responses from this consultation. NCC received

a response from the Governing Body of Oundle Primary School that expressed concerns

over the issue of funding. Under the title “Key issues for clarification: Funding” , the

Governing Body of Oundle Primary School wrote:

“Funding for the changes – our current understanding is that there will be additional

funds provided to support the re-modelling of the OKCMS site to provide for suitable

classroom provision and boundary controls as appropriate to a primary school.

Accommodation and site changes for 21st century education. Our key concern is that

the budget required to do this and the funding allocation have not yet been confirmed

and there is not a clear timetable to do so. We expect a firm decision on funding to

ensure that OKCMS can be remodelled appropriately for the long term with the right

level of upfront investment and that the need for any temporary accommodation can be

avoided.”

2.8 On 11th November 2014, the Cabinet of NCC met and approved the change to the

structure of education in North East Northamptonshire. At this juncture, capital costs of


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this change were estimated at £22.1m with “potential capital receipts and section 106

developer contributions” funding part of the capital cost and capital borrowing making up

the remainder.

As with previous Cabinet reports, the November 2014 Cabinet Report [Appendix 10] did

not name the assets proposed for sale and there was no indication of the estimated

capital receipts of individual assets. The report stated “best case scenario” receipts of

£14.5m and “worst case scenario” receipts of £7m.

2.9 Following a parents evening held on March 18th 2015 at OPS, many parents were

surprised to discover that NCC were planning to dispose of part of the playing field at the

new site of Oundle Primary School and many were alarmed to learn the extent of land

proposed for disposal. As previously stated, NCC did not indicate clearly in consultations

that the funding for the change from three tier to two tier would require the disposal of

school assets. Furthermore, their published Cabinet Reports also did not name the

assets proposed for disposal.

2.10 During the campaign to oppose the sale of the playing field of the new site of Oundle

Primary School at Cotterstock Road, the issue of funding proved to be contentious.

Emails and letters from parents and Oundle residents as well as members of ORGSG

were sent to NCC to clarify the issue of funding. Below are extracts from an email sent

from Julie Grove, the Chair of ORGSG on 23rd March 2015 to County Councillor Heather

Smith on the issue of funding:

“…I attended a couple of the consultation meetings that took place last February and

March. During these meetings, we were told that funding would be in place should the

change from three tier to two tier go ahead. In relation to this specific point around

funding, here are just a few soundbites taken from the consultation meeting minutes.

The following quotes will have been made by either yourself, Duncan Mills, Cllr

Catherine Boardman or another member of your team and have been taken directly from

the NCC Cabinet Report dated Tuesday 15 April 2014 :

"Money will be found to ensure a smooth transition from a three-tier to a two- tier

system"

"NCC would bear the costs"

"[NCC] is prepared to provide funding for a co- ordinated change."

"...significant investment will be made if NCC proceeds with the proposal"


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"...there is the political will at present to provide funding for a co-ordinated change"

"Councillors could have left the area to its own devices but are prepared to spend money

on a co-ordinated change as they feel it is in the best interests of the area’s school aged

population…"

2.11 In a letter sent to parents of OPS following the parents evening of 18th March 2015,

where parents first learned of the extent of playing field proposed for disposal, the


“The decision to move to a 2-tier system was made by NCC. We reluctantly supported

this move but have always been concerned about the level of funding available. We

expect NCC to appropriately fund and support the establishment of Primary Schools that

will provide excellent education for many years to come.

“At a meeting of the Full Governing Body on Wednesday 25th March, the governors

agreed to continue to oppose the sale of this land. We remain very concerned about the

level of funding available and in particular the impact on our school.”

2.12 In June 2015, as a result of the campaign to retain the playing field, NCC set out a new

proposal whereby most of the field would be transferred over to Oundle Primary School

and they would “retain the right to develop” the remaining acre or so of land. During a

BBC Radio Northamptonshire interview on 16th June 2015, [Appendix 38], Councillor

Heather Smith (County Councillor representing Oundle Ward and Deputy Leader of

NCC) stated the following to the question: “is there any way that the whole of the land,

could be signed over? Is there any way now that that could happen?”

“Well the only way it could happen would be if the Local MP Tom Pursglove is able to

actually do what he said he would try to do, and that is to obtain funding through

government to help us with the costs for all of the change that is happening and we've

said to him if he can obtain a minimum of £1m then we would be agreeable to signing it

all of it over. And I would say the same to the community, if the community and the Town

Council can come up with £1m, then we would sign it all over.”

2.13 In response to this radio interview, ORGSG sent an email in June 2015 to NCC

confirming its commitment to work alongside Tom Pursglove MP to secure additional

central government funding.


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2.14 As part of the education restructure, Prince William School (PWS) in Oundle altered its

lower age limit from 13 to11. Project costs to allow for PWS’ increased capacity were

estimated by NCC at £8.4m [Appendix 42].

2.15 In September 2015, PWS reopened as an Academy with the backing of EMLC Trust.

Appointed on 1st September 2015, the Managing Director of EMLC Academy Trust is

Duncan Mills, who joined the Trust from Northamptonshire County Council, where he

had been the Strategic Planning Manager for the past 10 years [Appendix 41]. Duncan

Mills presented many of the original consultation meetings with parents on the ‘Principle

of Change’ during January and March 2014 and would be very familiar with the

education restructure decision.

2.16 In the November 2014 Cabinet report [Appendix 10], NCC stated:

“The Council will also keep under review the opportunity for future capital grant funding

that could contribute towards the capital costs. This may include the Priority School

Building Programme for 2015 to 2021 announced by the Department for Education as

well as any access to academy capital funding through the Education Funding Agency

(EFA) if any school converts to academy status.”

2.17 PWS had made clear their intention to alter the lower age limit as early as 2012, before

discussions began on the proposed move to two tier across the area, having previously

unsuccessfully applied for academy status in 2013. Indeed the December 2013 NCC

Cabinet Report references this intention [Appendix 1, 5.5]

“Prince William has shared with other schools an aspiration/intention to become a

secondary school (11-18)”.

Consequently, despite being aware of PWS’ aspirations to become an academy and

their subsequent potential access to academy capital funding, NCC committed itself to

funding the £8.4m project cost allowing PWS to convert to a secondary school without

issuing any caveats requiring any Academy Trust, that PWS might join, to partially fund

the project cost.

2.18 Facilitated by Tom Pursglove MP, officials from the Education Funding Agency (EFA)

visited Prince William School on 23rd November 2015. During this visit, officials assessed


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the condition of PWS and provided EMLC and NCC with advice on accessing funds for

school buildings.

We believe officials from the EFA discussed basic need funding for Local Authorities and

the Condition Improvement Fund for academy schools and Trusts [Appendix 43].

2.19 Northamptonshire received £41.8m of basic need funding from 2011 to 2015 and the

EFA have announced £27.7m of further funding from 2015 to 2018 [Appendix 43]. We

are unaware whether any of the £27.7m has been allocated by NCC to help fund the

change in education structure.

2.20 PWS and EMLC would be eligible to submit a bid to the Condition Improvement Fund

(CIF) [Appendix 43]. The latest application round closed in December 2015 but the EFA

did not receive any bid for condition need or overcrowding from either PWS or EMLC.

We are not aware whether NCC, in order to ease their own financial burden, was in

contact with either PWS or EMLC to encourage a forthcoming CIF bid.

2.21 Consequently, although central government funds were available, applications were not

made to access additional capital resources.

3. Oundle Primary School Playing Field at Cotterstock Road (former site of Oundle

& Kings Cliffe Middle School)

3.1 The market town of Oundle lies 68 miles north of London and 12 miles south west of

Peterborough and is surrounded on three sides by the River Nene and in the 2011

Census recorded a population of 5,735. The town centre contains many stone built

houses, many more than 300 years old, divided by narrow alleys and courtyards and

surrounding the 14th century church.

3.2 The town has a number of Schools, including Prince William School, Oundle Primary

School (OPS), as well as Oundle School, a co-educational boarding independent School.

As the educational restructure from three tier to two tier takes place during the academic

year 2015/2016, OPS will operate across two sites: Milton Road, the original site of OPS,

located in the centre of Oundle and Cotterstock Road, the former site of Oundle & Kings

Cliffe Middle School.


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3.3 From September 2016, Oundle Primary School will operate from a single location on

Cotterstock Road, on the northern side of Oundle. The School is made up of a number of

relatively modern mono pitch and flat roof buildings, hard play areas to the south and

north and a large playing field to the north, with open field beyond. Three sides of the

School are adjacent to housing. There is an “in and out” access road into and out of the

site, through one crossover to Cotterstock Road and a number of car parking areas as

well as a coach drop off and pick up area on the site.

3.4 The current field (including netball/tennis courts) at Oundle Primary School is

approximately 24,500m2 in area and provides:

• Cricket Strip (artificial surface)

• Netball/tennis courts

• Rugby pitch with 2 x goal posts

• Football pitches (junior) x 2

• 400m grass athletics track

3.5 The area of playing field proposed by NCC for disposal is highlighted below in purple

and is approximately 3,950m2 in area:


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3.6 The disposal of the proposed area would leave Oundle Primary School (OPS) with a

playing field of circa 20,550m2.

3.7 By providing OPS with a site with the refurbished building designed to allow for an

increase to 3-form entry, there is a clear expectation that OPS will move to 3-form entry

in the near future. Therefore, when considering playing field provision, this anticipated

move to 3-form entry should also be taken into account along with looking at the site in

its entirety.

3.8 For a 3-form entry school, the remaining school field of circa 20,550m2 will be insufficient

Looking at area guidelines for playing field land at maintained schools and academies,

the following calculation was made using DfE documents “Disposal or change of use of

playing field and school land” [Appendix 18] and “Area Guidelines for mainstream

Schools: Building Bulletin 103 [Appendix 45].

Base area of 2000m2 plus 11m2 (per reception/KS1 pupil) plus 50m2 (per K2 pupil).

Therefore, a three-form entry school would require a playing field of 22,970m2 (2000m2

+ 2970m2 + 18000m2).


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3.9 Furthermore, housing number predictions indicate that Oundle will require a 4-form entry

school in the future. Oundle’s Town Plan, the Rural North, Oundle and Thrapston Plan

(RNOTP) [Appendix 19] sets out within its Core Strategy that 610 houses will be built in

Oundle within the time period of 2011 to 2021. The draft Neighbourhood Plan which sets

out plans until 2031, establishes a potential further 250 houses. This gives us a total of

860 houses.

Using the formula set by NCC Growth Team to predict pupil yield from housing

development, provided by Councillor Heather Smith within an email sent to Julie Grove,

dated 15th April 2015 [Appendix 20] of roughly 30 pupils per hundred dwellings, this

equates to approximately 250 additional pupils. If we add the 250 additional pupils to the

estimated 380 pupils who will attend Oundle Primary School from September 2016, the

school will be at full capacity for a 630 pupil, 3-form entry intake and there will be no

further room for expansion for the generation of Oundle school children of primary school

age from 2031.

3.10 Indeed the Governing Body of Oundle Primary School voiced their concerns around

future proofing in their response to the further consultation on the specific school-by-

school changes that took place between June and July 2014. This response was

included within the NCC Cabinet Report dated 9th September 2014 [Appendix 8] and

stated under the paragraph heading ‘Future Proofing’ :

“The governing body recognises the on-going development of Oundle and the

surrounding areas and requires that the re-modelling of the school at the OKCMS site

[on Cotterstock Road] takes into consideration a long term view on the level of pupil

numbers and provision of facilities suitable for the long term. The governing body

understands that from the latest proposals that there is an intention to sell part of the

current site. The governing body would like to raise its concern on the sale of this asset

as once sold, it cannot be reversed to facilitate future expansion either for the school or

for community facilities. The land is already used by Oundle Sports Clubs and alternative

venues are in short supply.”

3.11 Further concerns were voiced by the Governing Body of Oundle Primary School in their

letter dated 27th March 2015, which was sent to all parents following the parents evening

of 18th March 2015, where parents first learned of the extent of land proposed for

disposal. The letter stated:


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“We must ensure that the school and the site can accommodate future pupil growth. The

school site must be preserved with a long-term view. Once this land is sold, it will be

gone forever and we will once again be on a land locked site. The effects of this may not

be felt for some time but as we have experienced on Milton Road it may be a decision

that is regretted in the future.”

4. Other schools’ needs

The Cotterstock Road Playing field already acts as a regional sporting resource

for schools within the North East Northamptonshire area. It is recognised that

Oundle already has insufficient sporting facilities and as a result of the education

restructure and the building work being carried out across most schools within

the area, this will put extra emphasis on this field to accommodate regional

school events.

4.1 There are six village schools within a five mile radius of Oundle Primary School (OPS):

Glapthorn Primary School, Nassington Primary School, Polebrook Primary School,

Titchmarsh Primary School, Trinity Primary School and Warmington Primary School. Of

these six schools, 3 are half-form entry schools; Glapthorn, Warmington and Polebrook

and 3 are one-form entry schools with playing fields insufficient in size to accommodate

a cricket pitch or rugby pitch. Due to these deficiencies, the playing field at Cotterstock

Road is used for cluster sporting events, which includes these primary schools in the

area.

4.2 The decision made by NCC to move from a three tier to a two tier education system also

effected the secondary school in Oundle, Prince William School (PWS). As a result,

PWS has moved from an Upper School admitting pupils from age 13 to 18 to a

secondary school admitting pupils aged 11 to 18.

From academic year 2016/2017, PWS will have a net capacity of 1395 places.

[Appendix Sept Cabinet report appendix 2]. Using the DfE document “Disposal or

change of use of playing field and school land” [Appendix 18], the playing field provision

required by PWS would be 78,750m2. (Base area of 9000m2 plus 50m2 per pupil place).


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Not taking into account the loss of some outdoor space due to the refurbishment and

extension of the school building sites required to accommodate 2 additional year groups,

current playing field provision is circa 60,500 m2 (including the multiplication of the all-

weather game playing field by two). This would equate to circa 77% of the playing field

space the school should be providing.

PWS resides outside of a mile radius of Oundle Primary School (OPS) and therefore its

playing field would be an unsuitable additional resource.

4.3 The North Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit (JPU), established in October 2004 by

Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire Councils, together with

NCC, produced a report in September 2014 entitled the North Northamptonshire

Strategic Sports Facilities Framework Update [Appendix 21]. This looks at provision

using 10 different sports, across the North Northants area and projects needs and costs

for 2011-2031. Oundle is mentioned a few times but whilst outdoor space/playing pitches

are not included due to the pitch strategy being calculated separately, it clearly shows a

lack of provision in Oundle and the local area, with the majority of facilities provided by

privately owned, Oundle School, on a limited basis. Therefore, it is vital that Oundle does

not have any further loss of playing fields.

5. Community use

Community groups already utilise the Cotterstock Road field facilities and many

more have shown interest. Many of the community sports clubs will be displaced

and forced to play home fixtures out of area. Other facilities within the area are

either privately owned and therefore not readily available or unsuitable.

5.1 The Oundle Primary School field on Cotterstock Road is used by several community

groups and is a valuable community facility. It also provides a source of income to the

school.

5.2 Indeed the Governing Body of OPS recognise the importance of the playing field as a

community asset and encourage the use of the field by outside clubs. They are also

keen to increase the field’s community use even further. Due to higher running costs as


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a result of the transition from three tier to two tier, the revenue produced by the playing

field will become even more important from 2017 onwards.

In a letter sent to parents of OPS following the parents evening of 18 th March 2015,

where parents first learned the extent of playing field proposed for disposal, the


“Over the last few years, the community and school use of the site at Cotterstock Road

has increased and continues to increase. This provides valuable additional income to the

school. The amount of land identified for sale would mean the loss of the cricket, rugby

and some football pitches which are used by local teams and would be a loss of income.

As with many public services, we recognise the budgetary constraints on schools in the

current climate. The retention and development of this land for sporting activities will

benefit both the school and the community. With many sports clubs in Oundle reliant on

the use of land belonging to an independent school, it is potentially significant that the

few existing playing fields under public ownership are retained. Whilst it is envisaged

that the wider community would draw benefits from this and other potential uses of the

site, the ideal for Governors is for the school to have full use.”

5.3 The playing field is currently used by:

Oundle Junior Football Club

Oundle Cricket Club (Women and Junior Teams)

Chattabox Youth group (holiday club)

Kaleidoscope in Action (after school and holiday club provision)

ORGSG have received written statements from the leaders of all these groups stating

their opposition to the sale of the field and their wish for the field to be retained

[Appendix 22]. Furthermore, as far as ORGSG are aware, NCC have not approached

any of these clubs and community groups to discuss alternative arrangements regarding

location.

5.4 Certainly, as well as the Governing Body’s desire for increased community use, other

sporting and community groups in Oundle have expressed their interest in using the

playing field. These Groups include:


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Bikeability (formerly Cycling Proficiency)

PACTRAC Triathlon Club

Oundle Guides and Brownies

5.5 Indeed, the Statutory Proposal [Appendix 9] issued by NCC and dated 18th September

2014, to close Oundle & Kings Cliffe Middle School on Cotterstock Road, allowing it to

become the new site of Oundle Primary School makes reference to the ‘retention’ of the

site for education purposes and states that this should allow community usage to

remain:

“Impact on the community

Although part of the wider proposal would see the closure of Oundle and Kings Cliffe

Middle School, it is also proposed that Oundle CE Primary would transfer from its current

site, to the site of the former Oundle and Kings Cliffe Middle School. The retention of the

school site for educational purposes means that any extended services, currently

operating from the school site, such as; before and after school clubs, sports clubs and

any other organisations that utilise the site, could continue after the closure of Oundle

and Kings Cliffe Middle School.

It is not anticipated that the community of Oundle would lose access to any of the

extended services operating from the school site as a result of this proposal.”

5.6 Despite a population of circa 6,000, Oundle has little green and recreational space. It

has a total playing field area of circa 1.44 hectares, equating to 2.27m2 per person in

Oundle. We can compare this to other similar sized towns within Northamptonshire.

Burton Latimer has a population of 7449 and has a total playing field area of circa 7.9

hecates which equates to 10.6m2 per person, over 4 times more than Oundle. Raunds,

with a population of 4700 has a total playing field area of 10.2 hectares equating to

21.7m2 per person, 9 times more than Oundle. [Appendix 23]

5.7 Oundle also differs from most other Northamptonshire towns in that it is home to a large

public school. Oundle School currently has 853 boarders and 247 day pupils [Appendix

24] making it the third largest independent boarding and day school in England. The

school buildings and sporting facilities are spread throughout the town.

5.8 The OPS field on Cotterstock Road is the only publicly owned green space in Oundle

that is large enough to host the Town’s Junior football club. Oundle Junior Football Club


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does have an informal agreement with Oundle School to use the rough field on South

Road but there is no long-term agreement between the Club and the school. The current

agreement could be ended with little or no notice. Furthermore, because there is no

lease agreement, OJFC cannot invest in the field, nor can they apply for Lottery funding

or any of the other grants available. As a result, the facilities at the field are far from

ideal. There are no permanent junior-sized goals in place and the full-size goals that are

present are rusting and have either no nets or very damaged nets. The South Road site

is not secure and on a Saturday morning there are often empty beer cans and bottles left

on the pitches. Broken glass is a constant problem. There is no permanent club house

and little in the way of amenities. [Photos: Appendix 29]

5.9 Oundle School has grown from 900 pupils in 1980 to 1100 pupils in 2015; growth of 22%

[Appendix 24]. As the school continues to grow and improve its facilities, Oundle School

may seek to build on the South Road field or it could be sold to developers to fund

building elsewhere. The uncertainty about the future of the South Road field makes it

even more vital that Oundle Primary School retains the Cotterstock Road playing field in

its entirety.

5.10 NCC recently submitted an outline planning application on Fletton Field, off Glapthorn

Road in Oundle [Appendix 25]. This is the current playing field site linked to the Milton

Road site of Oundle Primary School. As part of their application, NCC submitted an open

space assessment [Appendix 26]. This assessment not only included private farmland

and small grassed areas within housing estates bordered by public roads [Appendix 27],

it also incorrectly includes all of the playing fields belonging to Oundle School. Indeed, in

Oundle School’s objection to the planning application [Appendix 28], NCC’s flawed

assessment of green space was highlighted:

“…it appears that the assessment of open space provision in Oundle incorrectly includes

all of the playing fields belonging to Oundle School. Those playing fields are in private

ownership and are largely unavailable to the local community to meet local

‘requirements’ or needs. Similarly, the list of ‘Improved sports & Recreational Facilities

on Identified Sites’ includes facilities promoted and owned by Oundle School, and,

again, these facilities are private and do not form part of the supply of sports and

recreational facilities available to the local population. There are no community local

authority owned playing fields other than a part pitch at the Recreational Park and

hence, this site is important.”


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5.11 NCC’s flawed assessment of Oundle’s green space and playing field provision within

their planning application was not the first time they have demonstrated this

misapprehension. In an email sent to Dr Emily Gwinnell [Appendix 30], parent of OPS

and Oundle resident, NCC Leader Councillor Jim Harker lists several facilities in the

town that are not at all comparable to the playing field.

“The Town Council also has a recreation field for the use of the community of Oundle

which has facilities for basketball, football, two play areas, one being enclosed for

younger children, a skateboard park and a pocket park. Barnwell Park at the edge of the

town, which is run by the County Council has full community access including an

adventure playground and 15 hectares of land to use for informal sports and play It

enjoys around 170,000 visits a year. Prince William School also lets out use of its

sporting fields and facilities which is used by local sporting organisations like Oundle

Squash and Racketball Club. In addendum, there is Oundle Rugby Club that runs 15

teams from under 7’s right up to the adult XV team. Oundle Cricket Club has over 350

members and a total number of 12 teams from Men and Ladies teams right down to

junior teams like the Under 10’s 11’s,12’s and Under 13’s and there is Oundle Tennis

Club in the town that sports 5 all weather courts, open from 9am until 9:30pm 7 days a

week with specific activities and coaching for junior members.”

5.12 Whereas the playing field on Cotterstock Road is an area of mown grass, the following

resources stated by Cllr Harker as suitable alternatives are not appropriate substitutes:

Oundle Rugby Club is jointly owned by Oundle Town Council (OTC) and Oundle School.

The grounds are dedicated to rugby and not available for other clubs to use. Oundle

Tennis Club has a long term lease for the venue from OTC and is dedicated to tennis

and not available for other clubs to use. Oundle Cricket Club is owned by Oundle School

and is dedicated to cricket and not available for other clubs to use. The Recreation Field

is an area of approximately 8000m2 of mown grass. However, due to its small size, it is

rarely used by clubs and is used on a more casual basis by Oundle residents. The other

facilities mentioned are additional to the 8000m2 field but are not comparable to the OPS

playing field. Prince William School fields would be available to use in theory, but the

school have refused community clubs use of their fields before.


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5.13 Barnwell County Park lies outside of a mile radius from the new site of Oundle Primary

School on Cotterstock Road and is a designated country park covering an area of 15.02

hectares. Despite NCC’s assertion that Barnwell Country Park could be a suitable

alternative, of the park's 15.02 hectares, 5.9 are covered with open water, 0.94 is

covered by woodland, 0.4 is marsh and 1.76 is classified as conservation grassland.

3.65 hectares is classed as 'other: edge/hedge' and 0.25 hectares is a man-made

surface. [Appendix 31]. This leaves 2.10 hectares of 'short mown grass'. The park is at

its busiest in the spring and summer months when this area of 2.10 hectares is used as

overflow parking. The remaining area of short mown grass must be shared between dog

walkers, picnickers and families. It is not suitable for organised sporting activities but can

be used for informal sporting activities.

5.14 The North Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit (NNJPU) is a local partnership of

Corby, Wellingborough, Kettering and East Northamptonshire councils together with

NCC who are working together to create an overall plan for North Northamptonshire. In

February 2014, the NNJPU published a report entitled Nene Valley Natural Improvement

Area [Appendix 44]. In this report [Appendix 44], a case for extending Barnwell Country

Park is made “to help meet the shortfall in public open space provision within Oundle.”

5.15 There is no doubt that there is a lack of open space provision in Oundle and it is vital

that Oundle retains as much of this space as possible. The playing field at Cotterstock

Road is an irrefutable community asset. It is an excellent site for organised team sports

and there is no other site in Oundle that offers the same level of facility and accessibility.

6. Value of Land

NCC has indicated that they wish to achieve full development value and they have

stated that this Land is being considered for residential development [Appendix

40]. However, full development value would only be possible if planning

permission were to be granted on the fields and this site would contravene all

current and proposed planning policy. Therefore, planning permission is highly

unlikely to be granted and the benefits this field offers to education and the local

community far outweighs its monetary value.


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6.1 From the outset of the campaign to retain the playing field, ORGSG have requested an

estimation of the value of the proposed area for disposal from NCC. This was an issue of

particular importance and interest to parents and many asked whether the expected

income from the sale of playing field could justify the irretrievable loss of an educational

and community asset.

6.2 It would be erroneous to consider the proposed area for disposal in narrow terms. Its

loss would not be limited to the proposed area itself, but would also have a detrimental

effect and loss for the school field in its entirety as a recreational facility.

6.3 A crucial issue to consider is the likelihood of planning permission bring granted on the

field. In order to gain the ‘maximum value’ from the field, NCC would require planning

permission from the planning authority, East Northamptonshire Council (ENC). Any

scheme involving the redevelopment of playing fields would need to fulfill policy criteria

as stipulated in the adopted Local Plan; the 2008 North Northamptonshire Core Spatial

Strategy and Oundle’s Town Plan and the 2011 Rural North, Oundle and Thrapston

Plan. The following policy criteria would need to be met in order to be acceptable:

From North Northamptonshire Core Spatial Strategy 2008, Policy 13 (g) [Appendix 32]:

“Not lead to the loss of open space or recreation facilities, unless a site of equivalent

quality and accessibility can be provided, serviced and made available to the community

prior to use of the existing site ceasing.”

6.4 The playing field is not named as a suitable site for development in Oundle’s Town Plan,

the 2011 Rural North, Oundle and Thrapston Plan (RNOTP), which runs until 2021.

Previous proposed housing developments have been refused on the basis that the sites

do not appear in the RNOTP. In October 2013, East Northamptonshire Council refused a

housing development proposal by Persimmon Homes in Oundle on the grounds that it

went against the RNOTP. Persimmon Homes appealed this decision in November 2013,

a Public Inquiry was held in June 2014 and ENC successfully defended this appeal in

October 2014 [Appendix 33].

6.5 In addition to not appearing in Oundle’s current Town Plan, the playing field also does

not appear in the draft Neighbourhood Plan 2021 to 2031. As part of the Neighbourhood

Plan process, there was a call for potential development sites to be brought forward for

the period 2021 to 2031. In spite of NCC’s intention that the field will be considered for


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residential development [Appendix 34], as they did not put forward the field on

Cotterstock Road as part of the Neighbourhood Plan call for sites process, the field will

not be an allocated site for residential development. And the earliest opportunity that the

field is allocated for residential development is 2032. Furthermore, it is the understanding

of ORGSG that the playing field will feature as a retained green space in the

Neighbourhood Plan to reflect its current designation in the current Town Plan.

6.6 Based on these facts, it is unlikely that planning permission would be granted on the

field. ENC has recently refused an outline planning application on the playing field off

Glapthorn Road which is currently linked to the Oundle Primary School site on Milton

Road [Appendix 46]. One the 5 reasons stated by East Northamptonshire Council for

refusal is likely to apply to the playing field on Cotterstock Road:

“The applicant has not submitted sufficient or robust evidence to support the assumption

that the application site is redundant and has therefore failed to demonstrate that the site

is surplus to requirements in terms of its function as an area designated as open space

for sport and recreation. Furthermore, the applicant has not put forward an alternative

area of open space which is of equivalent value and level of accessibility to serve the

local community, as is required by Joint Core Strategy Policy 7(d), North

Northamptonshire Core Spatial Strategy Policy 13 (g) and Rural North Oundle and

Thrapston Plan Policy 15- Open Space, Sport and Recreational Facilities. The proposal

would also therefore be in conflict with the aims of NPPF, as set out at Paragraphs 64,

70 and 74.” [Appendix 46]

ORGSG believe NCC would not be able to overcome this issue as there are no other

existing alternative sites in Oundle that could be put forward to the playing field on

Cotterstock Road.

Therefore, if planning permission is unlikely, would the value of playing field without

planning permission justify the long-term loss of a community asset and an educational

resource?


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7. Consultation

NCC has failed to consult with openness and transparency throughout the entire

process to move from three tier to two tier. Specific sites were rarely named in

any NCC documentation and the Cotterstock Road site was never mentioned.

Announcements informing the public of the consultation for the Section 77

application initially allowed for only half of the minimum consultation period

required and no signage was placed on the specific sites.

7.1 The Department for Education sets out very clear guidelines for Local Authorities wishing

to apply to dispose of playing fields. The May 2015 DfE document, ‘Disposal or change

of use of playing field and school land: Departmental advice for local authorities,

maintained schools, special schools, academies and free schools’ [Appendix 8] sets out

within ‘Annex D: playing field guidelines:

“Any applicant proposing to dispose of playing field land must consult adequately. The

Secretary of State expects the consultation period to be no less than 6 weeks, 4 of which

should be in term time.”

7.2 On 5th February 2016, parents of Oundle Primary School were notified via Parentmail

(an email system allowing OPS to contact parent electronically) that NCC are seeking to

dispose of both the playing fields at Cotterstock Road, the new site of Oundle Primary

School and the playing field linked to the Milton Road site of Oundle Primary School.

NCC has employed Atkins to submit the Section 77 applications. Parents were informed

that they had until 26th February 2016 to submit comments; a period of 3 weeks, 2 of

which were in term time. [Appendix 34]

Indeed, members of ORGSG who attended a meeting with Oundle Ward County

Councillor Heather Smith, were informed by Cllr Smith that NCC would not need to

consult on the disposal of the field [Audio recording of meeting: Appendix 35]. In

response to the question posed by ORGSG, ‘Do you plan to consult with parent and the

wider Oundle community on that piece of land? Because you haven’t’ , Cllr Smith replied

“We don’t have to.”


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7.3 Annex D also states:

“The Secretary of State expects consultation to be open and transparent.”

A Public Notice appeared in the Peterborough Evening Telegraph on Thursday 14 th

January 2016. This publication largely covers news in Peterborough and other issues in

Cambridgeshire. Circulation numbers for Peterborough Evening Telegraph are circa

12,400 per week, compared with Northants Evening Telegraph which has a circulation of

circa 14,500 per week and Northants Chronicle which has a circulation of 15,300 per

week. As Oundle lies in the county of Northamptonshire, perhaps the Public Notice

should have appeared in a Northamptonshire paper in order to gain wider coverage of

the consultation. Additionally, Public Notices did not appear in the fortnightly Nene Valley

News, which every household in Oundle receives and Public Notices were not placed on

the site of the playing field. Furthermore, the section 77 consultations have not featured

on NCC’s Consultation Register page on their website. Therefore, although parents of

Oundle Primary School were informed by the school, it is difficult to argue that the wider

community of Oundle were notified.

7.4 On ORGSG’s Facebook page, parents shared concerns over the short consultation

period and there was confusion over whether individuals were required to comment on

both fields or whether comments on one of the fields would be valid or whether

comments pertaining to both fields would be included in only one consultation or both.

7.5 On 10th February 2016, after growing concern around the level of transparency and

confusion over two simultaneous consultations, Julie Grove, Chair of ORGSG called

Jacky Sheppard, Head of Planning and Property at Atkins to discuss the consultation.

This conversation resulted in Atkins extending the consultation deadline to 18th

March

2016. [Appendix 36]. Here is an extract from the email sent by Jacky Sheppard, received

by Julie Grove:

“Further to our conversation earlier, I am able to confirm that:

1. Although the two Oundle sites have been linked for the purposes of this

consultation to allow both proposals to be considered at the same time, there will be two

separate applications to the Secretary of State and the DfE will consider each one on its

own merits.


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All consultation responses will be printed out precisely as received and will be

assembled into a consultation pack for the DfE’s consideration. I will assess whether a

response relates to one field or the other, and any responses which cover both fields will

be duplicated and submitted in both consultation packs (if I am in any doubt about a

consultee’s intentions, I will submit duplicates - to be on the safe side). I also suggested

that I do a covering page for the consultation pack to explain to the DfE the reason for

composite responses

2. I will extend the period for receipt of responses until Friday 18 March and confirm

that I am happy for this to apply to your MP, Tom Pursglove, as well as other individuals

and bodies.”

7.6 There have been questions over NCC’s openness and transparency around the

proposed disposal of the playing field at Cotterstock Road throughout the process of

change from three tier to two tier.

As part of the proposal to restructure the education system in North East

Northamptonshire, there was acknowledgement within the Cabinet Report dated 10th

December 2013 [Appendix 1], that there may be an opportunity to ‘rationalise assets’ to

help fund this project, however specific assets were never mentioned or valued.

An initial ‘Consultation on the principal of Change’ took place between 10th January

2014 and 21st March 2014 at all school sites affected by the proposed change. Minutes

at each meeting were taken [Appendix 3] and there were two references to potential

specific site disposals. The sites mentioned were the current Oundle Primary School site

on Milton Rd and the Kings Cliffe site of Oundle and Kings Cliffe Middle School.

7.7 At the NCC Cabinet meeting of 10th June 2014, it was decided that a co-ordinated

change to a two tier system across all schools was the preferred option and that a

further consultation on the specific school-by-school changes would take place between

18th June - 30th July 2014. The Cabinet report from this meeting [Appendix 6] did not

name specific sites proposed for disposal.

7.8 As part of the individual school proposals a Transition Plan was produced which clearly

stated that the ‘NCC Operation Group’ were responsible for facilitating communication of


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this plan. Within this plan they had clear guidelines to take account of community use of

school facilities and that designs would ‘address implications’ for playgrounds, sports

provisions, safeguarding etc. [Source: Appendix 6]

Once again capital receipts are referenced as a source of funding, but merely identified

as ‘5 sites’. These sites are not mentioned by name or clearly sourced within the reports

written by NCC. Within Oundle Primary School’s specific Building Project plan it only

mentions how the middle school can be adapted to become a primary school - no

mention of potential areas for disposal. [Source: Appendix 6].

7.9 The consultation meeting held on the 19th June 2014 at the Cotterstock Road site of the

then Oundle & Kings Cliffe Middle School was an opportunity for parents to view

proposed plans for the remodelled school site. A site plan for the building project was

displayed, with a note stating:

‘There is a proposal to dispose of part of the school site and therefore the school

boundaries may change from this currently shown.’

[Appendix 7]

No dimensions of this area were mentioned or indicated on the site map at this time.

7.10 It is only within the 9th September 2014 Cabinet Report appendices that there is a

documented reference to part of the Cotterstock Road playing field being proposed for

disposal. The two references appear as part of the feedback sections, one a query from

a parent and the other as part of a formal written response made by the governors of

Oundle Primary School. It should be noted that there were no references made by NCC

to the proposed disposal of the site. [Appendix 8]

7.11 Even when issuing the Statutory Proposal to Discontinue Oundle and Kings Cliffe Middle

School, there is also no reference to the specific proposal to sell off part of the playing

field. [Appendix 9]

7.12 The final decision to approve this re-structure is recorded in the 11th November Cabinet

Meeting report, yet there is still no specific mention or reference to Cotterstock Road

playing field as one of the proposed sites for disposal to fund the change from three tier

to two tier.


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7.13 The first time parents learned of the extent of the playing field originally proposed for

disposal was during a parents evening held by the Governing Body and staff of Oundle

Primary School on 18th March 2015. At this meeting, the following site plan of the school

was on display:

7.14 Despite the evidence to the contrary, NCC have maintained that the disposal of part of

the playing field on Cotterstock Road was always ‘part of the plan’ to fund the change

from three tier to two tier.

7.15 At the Oundle Annual Town Meeting, held on 30th April 2015, Julie Grove, Chair of

ORGSG made a representation for the proposition “That the 2015 Annual Town Meeting

supports the Oundle Community Group opposing the sale of the playing field at the new

site of Oundle Primary School.”

The record turnout of Oundle residents voted unanimously to support this proposition.

County Councillor Matt Golby, Cabinet Member for Education was in attendance at that


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meeting due to County Councillor for Oundle Ward, Cllr Heather Smith’s absence. He

asserted during a Q&A session that the extent of playing field proposed for disposal was

made clear to parents at the 19th June 2014 consultation evening and the site plan of the

school displayed this clearly. Below is a photograph of the site plan from the 19th June

2014 consultation that Julie Grove of ORGSG was able to show Cllr Golby and share

with the 250 residents who attended the evening. The photograph clearly shows that

there was no indication of the extent of playing field area proposed for sale.

7.16 NCC still insist that they have always been transparent and open regarding the sale of

school assets to fund the decision they made to restructure the educational system in

North East Northamptonshire.

In an email sent from Oundle Ward Councillor Heather Smith to Julie Grove and Paul

Kirkpatrick of ORGSG dated 16th February 2016 [Appendix 37], Cllr Smith states:

“… It is really not productive to send in multiple requests to either me or other hard

pressed Council officers asking the same questions.


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As you know, the consultation currently underway is being handled by Atkins and you

should direct your comments and questions to them as my role now is as a consultee to

them.

You are also aware that questions were asked by members of the public during the

consultations on the education change on how NCC could cover the costs of all the

building work necessary. It has been explained to you many times that surplus site

disposals were key to being able to cover the costs of all the building work necessary.”

8. MP support

ORGSG contacted MP Tom Pursglove along with the then MP Andy Sawford prior

to the 2015 general election to ask for their support for the campaign. Both were

fully supportive and supplied written statements promising to assist the

campaign. Since becoming our MP Tom Pursglove has fully backed the campaign

to retain the playing fields in Oundle. Not only has he instigated talks between the

Department of Education, NCC and relevant schools regarding opportunities to

access central government funding he also put forward the Local Area

Referendum (Disposal of School Playing Fields) Bill to help communities like

Oundle have a voice in the disposal of playing fields.

8.1 ORGSG have been working closely with Tom Pursglove MP since he was elected in

May 2015. Tom has shown unequivocal support to our campaign and strong opposition

to the disposal to the playing field on Cotterstock Road.

8.2 Additionally, our MP has taken on the task of helping to assist in the process for NCC to

apply for additional funds to pay for the restructure of the education system from three

tier to two tier, a decision NCC took in November 2014. Facilitated by Tom Pursglove

MP, officials from the Education Funding Agency (EFA) visited Prince William School on

23rd November 2015. During this visit, officials assessed the condition of PWS and

provided EMLC and NCC with advice on accessing funds for school buildings.

8.3 Indeed, in support of circa 4000 of his constituents who signed the petition against the

disposal of the playing field, Tom Pursglove MP put forward the Local Area Referendum

(Disposal of School Playing Fields) Bill 2015-2016. The proposed Bill would enshrine in


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law that, should a local authority wish to sell off playing field land, they must go through

the process of a statutory consultation. Furthermore, should a verifiable 10% of electors

in any ward affected, sign that petition, it would trigger a local referendum, of which the

result would be binding. In a Press Notice regarding the Second Reading of the Local

Area Referendum Bill 2015-2016 [Appendix 39], Tom Pursglove MP states:

"I am strongly opposed to the sale of the playing field at the site of Oundle Primary

School and my Bill would help to give greater protection to communities in situations

where proposals of this sort come forward. How can it be right that, where a petition has

been signed by 4,000 people, in a town of 4,500, this can simply be ignored, and the

land sold, against the wishes of the local community. Once playing field land is sold, it is

gone forever."

9. Concluding remarks

9.1 In November 2014, NCC made the decision to change the education structure within

North East Northamptonshire from three tier to two tier and in doing so, NCC committed

itself to a £22.1m spend.

9.2 The Governing Body of Oundle Primary School, along with the majority of parents had

concerns around funding from the outset of discussions to move to two tier. However,

NCC gave assurances that funds were in place. We, and the Governing Body of the

school, were not aware that NCC made the decision to restructure the education system

on the presumption that they would be able to obtain consent from the Secretary of State

for Education to dispose of the 3 playing field sites earmarked to fund the change. We

were not aware that NCC made a decision, which would have a significant impact on the

education of our children, based on the prospect that disposal would be possible.

9.3 Indeed, parents and members of the public were not made aware of the extent of land

for disposal at the Cotterstock Road playing field until 4 months after the decision to

move to two tier had been taken by NCC.

9.4 This lack of transparency and openness also extends to the Section 77 Consultation.

The original deadline set allowed for only 3 weeks of consultation, half the time a Local

Authority is required to consult. It took the work of ORGSG to extend the deadline to the


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full required 6 weeks with at least 4 weeks taking place during term time. Public Notices

appeared in publications covering a different county; Cambridgeshire, not

Northamptonshire and a site notice was not placed on the field. The section 77

consultations have also never appeared on NCC’s own Consultation Register, a

dedicated webpage allowing residents of Northamptonshire to get ‘involved with local

decision-making.’

9.5 Questions must also be asked of why NCC committed themselves to a £8.4m spend on

Prince William School, 38% of the total £22.1m required to see through the changes to

two tier, when they were fully aware of the school’s intention to move to academy status

which would allow PWS to apply to the Condition Improvement Fund [Appendix 43].

PWS has now joined EMLC Academy Trust, but with NCC having already entrusted a

£8.4m spend, there has been no application for additional funding forthcoming, despite a

visit from EFA’s officials and a dedicated meeting discussing the precise issue of

additional funding.

9.6 NCC has also failed to consider the impact of the disposal to the community groups and

the after-school club who currently use the field. Any loss of land at the playing field

would have a detrimental effect on these groups and indeed, many have stated their

objections to the proposed disposal. Furthermore, NCC has also made no attempt to

approach the community groups who use the field to discuss alternative arrangements.

9.7 The site is also home to cluster sporting events, hosting village schools across the North

East Northamptonshire area. Although NCC argue that Oundle Primary School will have

the largest site of any school in the area, it is crucial that there is a school able to host

such a large event. Village schools do not have the sporting provision to allow them to

do so and cluster sporting events give the opportunity for children across the area to get

together to play sport; the benefits of which are immeasurable.

9.8 With the provision of a 3-form entry school building, NCC must also ensure future

proofing for a 3-form entry school playing field. Indeed, even without the disposal of part

of the field, the school would still have a shortfall in playing field provision.

9.9 It is evident that there is a clear lack of open space provision in Oundle and there are

reports, some of which are even commissioned jointly by NCC, that document these

deficiencies. Moreover, there is no other publicly available space in Oundle which allows


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for the sporting activities currently hosted and available from the Cotterstock Road

playing field. The field is, quite simply, irreplaceable.

9.10 As soon as NCC made clear their plans to dispose of part of the playing field at

Cotterstock Road to parents and the wider community of Oundle, they have received

vocal and strong opposition. This opposition and the depth of feeling in the Town against

the disposal of the field, was made clear through the many emails and letters sent to

NCC.

Opposition has been voiced by many; the 4000 people who have signed the petition

against the disposal of the field, the Governing Body of the school, Oundle Town

Council, Oundle Ward’s East Northants District Councillors, the numerous community

groups who currently use the field and our local MP Tom Pursglove.

9.11 NCC have maintained throughout the consultation process and beyond that the disposal

of school sites was always “part of the plan” to fund the change from three to two tier. If

this was the case, why did NCC not put forward the field as part the Neighbourhood Plan

call for sites to ensure that they would be able to realise the field’s maximum value? As

the field is neither allocated for residential development in Oundle’ current Town Plan,

the Rural North, Oundle and Thrapston Plan nor the emerging Neighbourhood Plan,

planning permission is highly unlikely in the current planning framework. Consequently, it

is highly unlikely that the field will provide the monetary value, NCC is hoping for.

Therefore, can the significantly reduced capital receipt NCC will receive for a site that

cannot obtain planning permission, justify the irretrievable loss of an irreplaceable

community asset and educational resource.


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List of Appendices

1. 10th December 2013 NCC Cabinet Report

Web link:

https://cmis.northamptonshire.gov.uk/cmis5live/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=NGI6iBYIO4%

2bOWtNvOJtuePNnNQOYnUkgqlvzRl0QxhLU2dTmd5qNFQ%3d%3d&rUzwRPf%2bZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3d%3d=pwRE6A

GJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ/LUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3d%3d&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3d%3d=hFflUd

N3100%3d&kCx1AnS9/pWZQ40DXFvdEw%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2bAJvYtyA%3d%3d=ctNJFf

55vVA%3d&FgPlIEJYlotS%2bYGoBi5olA%3d%3d=NHdURQburHA%3d&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJ

Ff55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYm

2. NCC Consultation Leaflet on the ‘Principle of Change’ taken from pages 25-26 of All

Appendix of the 15 April 2014 NCC Cabinet Report

Web link:

https://cmis.northamptonshire.gov.uk/cmis5live/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=00QVL%2b7s

OrQ8Knw3IPCiRw87GTx8JR3pkv%2bu%2b/bxG7P7s9UXoJi1HA%3d%3d&rUzwRPf%2bZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3d%3d=pw

RE6AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ/LUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3d%3d&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3d%3d=h

FflUdN3100%3d&kCx1AnS9/pWZQ40DXFvdEw%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2bAJvYtyA%3d%3d=ct

NJFf55vVA%3d&FgPlIEJYlotS%2bYGoBi5olA%3d%3d=NHdURQburHA%3d&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=

ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za6

3. Minutes taken from all school site consultations on the ‘Principle of Change’ – pages 57 -

103 of All Appendix of 15 April 2014 Cabinet Report

Web link:

https://cmis.northamptonshire.gov.uk/cmis5live/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=00QVL%2b7s

OrQ8Knw3IPCiRw87GTx8JR3pkv%2bu%2b/bxG7P7s9UXoJi1HA%3d%3d&rUzwRPf%2bZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3d%3d=pw

RE6AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ/LUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3d%3d&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3d%3d=h

FflUdN3100%3d&kCx1AnS9/pWZQ40DXFvdEw%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2bAJvYtyA%3d%3d=ct

NJFf55vVA%3d&FgPlIEJYlotS%2bYGoBi5olA%3d%3d=NHdURQburHA%3d&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=

ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za6

4. 15th April 2014 NCC Cabinet Report

Web link:

https://cmis.northamptonshire.gov.uk/cmis5live/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=PSaPsAfy4Ow

Cc5hkfm9z5PEJR8nYDGWfBemxYPD8mpHYJjmwyhkyZA%3d%3d&rUzwRPf%2bZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3d%3d=pwRE6AG

JFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ/LUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3d%3d&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3d%3d=hFflUdN

3100%3d&kCx1AnS9/pWZQ40DXFvdEw%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2bAJvYtyA%3d%3d=ctNJFf55

vVA%3d&FgPlIEJYlotS%2bYGoBi5olA%3d%3d=NHdURQburHA%3d&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf5

5vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYmz=


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5. 13th May 2014 NCC Cabinet Report

Web link:

https://cmis.northamptonshire.gov.uk/cmis5live/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=t/kKFnUwBoZ

5P7yRrgoxVY3ooFHKmdSbefnMl77IpzX5nwjIh8X8xQ%3d%3d&rUzwRPf%2bZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3d%3d=pwRE6AGJFLD

Nlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ/LUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3d%3d&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&kCx1AnS9/pWZQ40DXFvdEw%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2bAJvYtyA%3d%3d=ctNJFf55vVA

%3d&FgPlIEJYlotS%2bYGoBi5olA%3d%3d=NHdURQburHA%3d&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vV

A%3d&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYm

6. 10th June 2014 NCC Cabinet Report

Web link:

https://cmis.northamptonshire.gov.uk/cmis5live/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=642KjTUN3zQ

tKMk0LaHO4Gjq0NwuFsHB039bAPkCOx%2bsxSj4xO5V3g%3d%3d&rUzwRPf%2bZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3d%3d=pwRE6A

GJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ/LUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3d%3d&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3d%3d=hFflUd

N3100%3d&kCx1AnS9/pWZQ40DXFvdEw%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2bAJvYtyA%3d%3d=ctNJFf

55vVA%3d&FgPlIEJYlotS%2bYGoBi5olA%3d%3d=NHdURQburHA%3d&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJ

Ff55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYm

7. Photograph of Oundle Primary School site plan on display at consultation evening of

19th June 2014 to discuss move to two tier.

8. 9th September 2014 NCC Cabinet Report

Web link:

https://cmis.northamptonshire.gov.uk/cmis5live/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=ua/se1PWkwyl

RjAXUxY7I16tRfEqLU8ienC9IZVDyF2PkeJJGQSm2w%3d%3d&rUzwRPf%2bZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3d%3d=pwRE6AGJFLD

Nlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ/LUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3d%3d&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100

%3d&kCx1AnS9/pWZQ40DXFvdEw%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2bAJvYtyA%3d%3d=ctNJFf55vVA

%3d&FgPlIEJYlotS%2bYGoBi5olA%3d%3d=NHdURQburHA%3d&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vV

A%3d&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYm

9. Statutory Proposal Notice to close Oundle & Kings Cliffe Middle School

Web link:

http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/Council/consultations/Documents/School-

Consultations/Statutory%20Closure%20Proposal%20-%20OKCMS.pdf

10. 11 November 2014 NCC Cabinet Report

Web link:

https://cmis.northamptonshire.gov.uk/cmis5live/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=5ZTbxTNu9of

0846tEtgq%2b6SoaBnt%2bZxa/OwyJNAatwe2FahXWRq0nQ%3d%3d&rUzwRPf%2bZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3d%3d=pwRE6

AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ/LUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3d%3d&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3d%3d=hFflU

dN3100%3d&kCx1AnS9/pWZQ40DXFvdEw%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2bAJvYtyA%3d%3d=ctNJF

f55vVA%3d&FgPlIEJYlotS%2bYGoBi5olA%3d%3d=NHdURQburHA%3d&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJ

Ff55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60l


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11. Site plan of Oundle Primary School site displayed at 18th March 2015 parents evening.

12. Link to ORGSG Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/OPSProtectOurSchool

13. Link to ORGSG petition video:

!""#$%&&'''()*+,-../(+.0&12324.",+"1543+!..6&789,.$&7-(:;;::;:


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23. Data table comparing green space in other Northamptonshire towns.

24. Oundle School facts. Source: http://www.ukboardingschools.com/schools/oundle-school/

25. NCC/Bidwells application on Fletton Field.

26. NCC/Bidwells Open Space Assessment of Oundle.

27. Photographs of sites from NCC/Bidwells Open Space Assessment of Oundle.

28. Oundle School objection to NCC application on Fletton Field.

29. Photographs of the South Road, Oundle field, used by Oundle Junior Football Club.

30. Email exchange between Dr Emily Gwinell and NCC Leader, Councillor Jim Harker

31. Barnwell Country Park information.

http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/Leisure/countryside/Documents/PDF%20Documents/Barnwell%2

0CP%2010yr%20Managemnt%20plan%20GF%205%20year%20review.pdf

32. North Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit, Core Spatial Strategy

Web link:

http://www.nnjpu.org.uk/docs/Adopted%