Decision details

The Cabinet Member Resources:

1. Awarded the design and build contract to Kier Construction, under the terms and conditions of the London Housing Corporation Schools and Community Buildings Framework, to construct an extension and remodelling of an existing block at City College to accommodate the expansion of accommodation for students with learning difficulties and disabilities up to the value of £1,075,000. This sum shall also include funding for all site surveys, project management and technical advisers fees.

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

Secondary demographic forecasts for the whole of Peterborough, based on January 2012 data, suggest that the secondary population will increase from 13,500 in 2011/12 to 19,000 in 2021/22, an increase in excess of 40%. The combined year 12 and year 13 population is forecast to increase over the same ten year period, an increase of around 35%.  The wider 16-19 population has increased by 5% from a baseline position in 2006, greater than statistical neighbours (2%) and in England overall (1%).

Peterborough, as at March 2013 had 134 young people with a Learning Difficulty or Disability who were not in education, employment or training (NEET).  The project will aim to target this vulnerable group with the intention of encouraging them into education appropriate to meet their complex needs.  The project also aims to ensure that there is capacity to bring back those young people that are currently educated ‘out of city’ to access provision locally.

Learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities in further education has seen a marked increase: 315 in 2008/09 to 689 in 2011/12.  Figures are expected to rise further in the coming years.  The primary needs of Behaviour, Emotional and Social Difficulties, Moderate Learning Difficulties and Autistic Spectrum Disorder have seen the biggest rise.  A number of these young people require therapeutic intervention.  The new provision at City College will accommodate these needs and ongoing work with Adult Social Care in order to facilitate a smoother transition into Adult Services within the community.

The following options were considered and rejected:

To do nothing. This option was rejected due to the need to provide additional provision for post 16 students with learning difficulties and disabilities in Peterborough.

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 within the current timescales to suit the College and ensure that the Education Funding Agency 16-19 Demographic Growth Fund Grant 2013 is spent by the prescribed deadline.

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 within the current timescales to suit the College and ensure that the Education Funding Agency 16-19 Demographic Growth Fund Grant 2013 is spent by the prescribed deadline.

To use the existing Academy Framework with Carillion – this was rejected due to the number of school projects currently underway with Carillion.  It was considered that adding this project would place the Council at risk in terms of their resources and capacity.

None.

No additional documents were used unless otherwise stated in the CMDN.