The DfE has confirmed to the Harpenden Secondary School Trust that their proposal for a 6 f.e. Free School can progress to the pre-opening phase. The DfE has made the approval conditional on the County Council agreeing to fund the necessary site acquisition in its entirety as well as leading on the acquisition negotiations. The County Council is now working with the EFA and the Trust to prepare the next steps. At this stage in the process it is not necessary and it is not intended to submit a recommendation to members to rescind the decision made on the 23 September 2013 to acquire the land known as Site F. Should the EFA acquire the site, the decision may not be needed and not used, but should remain to be available if the County Council were to acquire the site. One of the key requirements for the next stages of work is to agree the processes for engagement with local stakeholders, including the RSRP group. Regular updates relating to the new school will be posted on the County Councils website in the following location: http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/edlearn/aboutstatesch/newschools/harpenden