Decision details

The Cabinet Member, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources:

Authorised the Executive Director, Resources to approve the construction of new school buildings and the refurbishment and remodelling of existing buildings to accommodate the expansion of Southfields Primary School up to the value of the budget sum of £3.5m, subject to the Council obtaining consent pursuant to section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1988. This sum shall include the anticipated design and build contract costs of and funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT), all site surveys and project management and technical advisers fees.

Authorised the Council to enter into a contract with Kier Construction Limited in relation to the   construction works, subject to approval of the value for money report by the Director of Governance and Executive Director, Resources (or their nominated representatives);

Authorised the Director of Governance to enter into any other legal documentation on behalf of the Council in relation to this matter.

Authorised the Executive Director, Resources to instruct any early works required prior to financial close, up to the value of £250,000, to facilitate the installation of temporary accommodation and essential external works.  The value of these works will be included in the design and build contract costs.

The Local Authority has a statutory duty to provide school places.  There are significant pressures on the city to provide school places in the areas most in need.  The decision to expand Southfields Primary School was made by the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and University following review of demographic data as part of the School Organisation Plan 2012-2017.

As a result of the above, Southfields Primary School is expanding to four forms of entry. The proposed scheme will :

-           Provide 5 new classrooms located in the heart of the school site as part of existing block 5

-           Re-configure the car parking at the school to maximise the number of spaces available

-           Re-locate the administration area of the school to include office space for administrational staff and senior staff and create a new entrance to the school as part of block 5

-           Create a corridor which links the existing buildings internally

-           Upgrade the school kitchen to ensure it can cater for the additional intake

-           Refurbishment works to 4 classrooms and the infant servery

-           Redesign and replacement of surface water drainage system

-           Replacement of Fire Alarm system

-           Replacement of the cold water distribution systems in the infant block

The following options were considered and rejected:

To do nothing – this option was rejected due to the shortage of primary pupil places in the area and the Local Authority’s statutory duty to provide sufficient school places.

Other schools within the area were considered for expansion but rejected by the Children’s Services Capital Projects Board, as demographic data demonstrates the need for expansion in the catchment area of Southfields Primary School. 

To tender to the construction market for a contractor – this option was rejected due to the timescales and costs of the tender process which would have meant that it would not be possible to complete the works in order for the accommodation to be available for September 2016.

To run a mini competition using the LHC Framework – this option was rejected due to the timescales of the tender process which would have meant that it would not be possible to complete the works in order for the accommodation to be available for September 2016.

None.

School Organisation Plan 2012-2017