Decision details

The Cabinet Member approved the award of the contract for the design and build of the school.

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.  A review of demographic data has informed the decision to open a new school as part of the School Organisation Plan 2012-2017 upon land subject to a Section 106 Agreement.

As a result of the above, the proposed scheme will :

·         Provide 1500 new school places (inclusive of 300 post-16 places) for children living in Hampton and Yaxley in Cambridgeshire to be managed by Hampton Academies Trust;

·         The school will open on a phased basis in September 2017 for year 7 pupils; and

·         The scheme will be delivered as the sample scheme via a batched design and build contract.

The EFA Contractors Framework batched contract arrangements will allow the Council to deliver the new school buildings and associated facilities for opening in September 2017.

The following options were considered and rejected:

·         To do nothing. This option was rejected due to the Local Authority’s statutory duty to provide sufficient school places.

·         Consideration was given as to whether to seek an executive decision from the Cabinet Members at the time of award of contract and entering into the Development Agreement.  However given the timescales for delivery of this project, it is considered necessary to seek authorisations as set out in the decisions described above.

·         Tender the projects outside of the framework. The procurement of a contractor to design and build the new school as the sample scheme of a batched contract enables the Council to utilise this contract for future school build projects without the need to re-procure.  This approach will save Council resources and ensure that school projects can be completed within required timescales for the delivery of additional places.

None

School Organisation Plan 2012-2017

EFA Contractors Framework Guidance November 2013

Medium Term Financial Plan