Decision details

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

1.     Authorised the Corporate Director People and Communities to approve the construction of new school accommodation up to the value of the budget sum of £7.7m.  This sum shall include the anticipated design and build contract costs, funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT), all site surveys, project management, technical advisers fees and all costs relating to the PFI consents.

2. Authorised the Corporate Director People and Communities to award the design and build contract relating to the construction works to Carillion Construction Ltd.

3. Authorised the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance or delegated officers to enter into any legal documentation on behalf of the Council in relation to this matter, including the design and build contract and early works agreements.

4. Authorised the Corporate Director People and Communities to approve the variation to the PFI contract to reflect the scope of work and the requirement for lifecycle and facilities management services for the additional accommodation.

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 expand the school as part of the School Organisation Plan 2012-2017.

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

·         Provide an additional form of entry (30 places) into year 7 each year from September 2017 until 2021

·         The accommodation required will comprise of 11 new classrooms, new dining and kitchen facilities (and associated servicing area), a new science classroom, a floodlit all weather pitch and an extension to the car parking

·         Delivered as non-sample scheme via a batched design and build contract with Carillion

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.

Tender the projects outside of the framework. The procurement of a contractor to design and build the new school as a non-sample scheme of a batched contract enables the Council to utilise this contract for delivery of the school places.  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