Agenda item - UPDATED SCHOOL CONDITION AND FIRE SAFETY PROGRAMME 2018/19 TO 2020/21 (SCHOOLS CAPITAL PROGRAMME)

Agenda item

UPDATED SCHOOL CONDITION AND FIRE SAFETY PROGRAMME 2018/19 TO 2020/21 (SCHOOLS CAPITAL PROGRAMME)

A report from the Executive Director – People is attached. (Appendix A to the report containing exempt information, is attached to the part two agenda for Members’ consideration) (Key decision – reference number 4755)

(Report No.134)

(8.00 – 8.10 pm)

Minutes:

Councillor Achilleas Georgiou (Cabinet Member for Children’s Services) introduced the report of the Executive Director – People (No.134) providing an updated School Condition and Fire Safety Programme 2018/19 to 2020/21.

 

NOTED

 

1.            That Appendix A to the report, setting out the financial details of the projects, contained exempt information and was referred to in Minute No.15 below.

 

2.            That a programme of projects for community and foundation schools, had been collated for consideration in 2018/19, 2019/20 and indicative allocations for 2020/21 as set out in the report. The funding sources for the programme were noted as detailed in the report.

 

3.            The priorities used for formulating the programme of works as detailed in section 3.4 of the report.

 

4.            The proposals for Special School Expansions and other works set out in paragraph 3.11 of the report.

 

5.            Members noted the proposals for a whole school rebuild for Walker Primary School as detailed in paragraph 3.10 of the report. Members expressed their concern at the recent developments in Walker Primary School becoming an academy despite the concerns of parents and  residents.

 

6.            Current issues were highlighted, and the example of Galliard School was noted. Members were concerned at the academisation of schools against the wishes of parents, residents, school staff and Members. Examples were also given of issues experienced in other local authorities. The actions that could be taken were limited.

 

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED, that in considering potential bids, the Schools and Children’s Services Asset Management Unit reviewed all un-resourced Technical Priority 2 schemes identified in condition surveys. Because 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 approval be given to:

 

1.            The proposed programme of works including professional and technical expenses detailed in the restricted Appendix A to the report (Minute No.15 below refers) or any other emergency schemes proceeding up to the total three-year indicative programme value of £60 million.

 

2.            The Executive Director – People to:

 

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

2.2         Manage 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; and

2.3         Allocate 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.

 

3.            To note that this report combined Schools’ condition and expansion projects into one capital programme.

 

4.            To note 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: The recommendations had been made to enable work to be commissioned on condition works of an urgent nature in schools for 2018/19.

(Key decision – reference number 4755)

Supporting documents: