Issue - meetings

A report from the Executive Director – People is attached. (Note: The appendix to the report is a restricted document) (Key decision – reference number 5276)

(This item contains exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person – including the authority holding that information) of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended).

Councillor Rick Jewell (Cabinet Member for Children’s Services) introduced the report of the Executive Director People outlining the Council’s landlord responsibilities undertaking major capital projects at school buildings to ensure the safety and wellbeing of school pupils and staff, whilst also maintaining the Council’s assets.

NOTED

1.            That the Council maintains the responsibility for major items of repair in schools, and employ the latest technology and energy saving improvements.

2.            Central Government are undertaking a spending review and announcements on allocations are expected in April 2021.

3.            A summit will be set up in the Summer 2021 for all schools and academies on measures to reduce climate changes.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED, that projects had been prioritised for inclusion in the Programme based on technical information in condition surveys commissioned by Construction Maintenance and Facilities Management Team (CMFM) through external consultants.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed

1.            The proposed programme of works including professional and technical expenses detailed in Appendix 1 to the report (containing exempt information); and, allowance for emergency schemes proceeding up to the total three-year indicative programme value of £40m and become part of the Council’s future capital programme.

2.            Grant the approval to spend the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Capital Budget of £31.173m and £3.578m as approved in KD 5210 (Cabinet – 3 February 2021).

3.            As previously agreed by Cabinet, approval of the Condition and Fire Safety Programme 2020/21 to 2021/22 to continue to delegate authority to the Executive Director People to:

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

(ii)          Manage the programme individual project budgets so that overall budget remains within approved resources. This was to take account of variations between estimates and tender return costs and the potential need to substitute schemes having a greater technical priority if the need arises; and

(iii)         Allocate any contingency provision (up to a maximum of £350,000 including professional and technical expenses) to emergency projects and/or to schemes identified as priority but not yet programmed.

4.            To note the procurement and award of works contracts including entering into the contracts for each would conform to the Council’s Procurement rules and Constitution.

5.            To note that the contract award for professional services and works above £500,000 would also confirm to the Council’s Constitution with approval sought at the appropriate authority level.

Reasons: Under the Scheme for Financial Schools, the Council retained responsibility for major items of repair in schools. A programme of projects had been collated to rectify and repairs items of a high technical or strategic priority for consideration in 2021/22 to 2022/23.

The Council had Corporate Landlord responsibility for major works at schools and employed the latest technology and energy saving improvements to meet the Climate Change Agenda.

The Schools’ capital programme was entirely funded from Central Government Grants and Section 106 Developer contributions. 

(Key decision – reference number 5276)