Issue - meetings

A report from the Executive Director – People is attached. This report includes an appendix containing exempt information which should be considered in conjunction with the part one report. (Key decision – reference number 5082)

 (Report No.213)

Councillor Rick Jewell (Cabinet Member for Children’s Services) introduced the report of the Executive Director – People (No.213) seeking approval to the updated School Condition and Fire Safety Programme 2020/21 to 2021/22.

NOTED

1.            The content of the appendix containing exempt information in considering the report and the decisions set out below.

2.            That the Council as corporate landlord was responsible for major works to address the condition of community and foundation schools. A proposed programme for 2020/21 and 2021/22 had been formulated to address the most urgent condition items, as set out in the report. The Schools’ capital programme was entirely funded from Central Government grants and Section 106 developer contributions. Energy saving improvements were included to meet the requirements of the climate change agenda and the target of being carbon neutral by 2030.

3.            In response to questions raised, the tender processes and procurement rules in relation to the size and value of the individual projects were outlined, as set out in the report.

4.            That energy saving improvements included the consideration of replacing redundant gas boilers with heat pumps which had been proved to be three times more efficient. Government funding was currently being sought to support such improvements.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED, in considering potential bids, the Schools and People non resourced technical priority 2 schemes identified in condition surveys. As the value of schemes exceeded the resources available, it had been necessary to prioritise certain categories of schemes and defer proposals having lesser technical priority.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed that

1.            Approval be given to: the proposed programme of works including professional and technical expenses detailed in the restricted Appendix A of the report or any other emergency schemes proceeding up to the total three-year indicative Programme value of £28 million.

2.            The Executive Director – People to continue:

a.    Approving tenders for individual schemes or schemes of aggregated value up to a maximum of £500,000 including professional and technical expenses.

b.    Managing the Programme in a flexible way within the overall budget available, to take account of variations between estimates and tender costs and the need to substitute schemes having a greater technical priority if the need arises using the tender acceptance report pro forma.

c.    Allocating any contingency provision (up to a maximum of £250,000 including professional and technical expenses) to emergency projects and/or to schemes identified as priority but not yet programmed.

d.    As recommended through this report, to reduce the schools de minimis limits to £15,000 for primary and special schools and £25,000 for secondary schools.

3.            That a portfolio decision by the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services would be sought in relation to the approval of tenders for any proposals exceeding £500,000 in value including professional and technical expenses.

Reason: To enable work to be commissioned on condition works of an urgent nature in schools for 2020/21.  

(Key decision – reference number 5082)