Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Police & Policies

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/021

Contact: Trevor Askew, Service Manager - Operational Client Contracts Tel: (01865) 323678

Report by Director for Environment & Economy (CA9).

The purpose of this report is to seek Stage 2 Full Business Case approval to award a contract for construction/ refurbishment to Bayard’s Hill Primary School within an approved budget figure of £6.6 million.

The work will be carried out by a contractor selected from the OCC framework contract, as the value of the construction work is beyond the exclusivity limit of £4 million set for self-delivery by Carillion, the council’s property and facilities contractual partner

The replacement of Bayard’s Hill Primary School was one of 2 projects in Oxfordshire to be funded from the first wave of the previous governments Primary Capital Programme.

The need for Bayard’s Hill Primary School to operate as a 2FE Primary School (Admission Number 60) is one part of the county council's strategy to meet the need for primary school places in Oxford.

In January 2011 Cabinet approved a revised Capital Programme which included £6.6m to address the priority suitability/condition requirements at Bayard’s Hill Primary School and ensure sufficient space is provided for the school to operate as a two Form Entry (2FE) primary school.

The project will address over 95% of the value of the building condition issues identified in the condition survey carried out in August 2012, which total circa £1.3m

The scheme will also address current suitability issues relating to:

• Poor internal organisation of spaces

• Site security issues associated with a multi-use site

• Inadequate withdrawal/SEN spaces for small group and 1:1 support

• accessibility issues  due to changes in levels within the building

The cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the Stage 2 Business Case and approve the award of the construction contract detailed in the report.

Cabinet considered a report that sought Stage 2 Full Business Case approval to award a contract for construction/ refurbishment to Bayard’s Hill Primary School within an approved budget figure of £6.6 million.

Councillor Brighouse, speaking as a local Councillor spoke in support of the scheme which she hoped could see a start on site as soon as possible.

Councillor Roz Smith, speaking as a local Councillor welcomed the project but regretted that it was not aiming for excellence in terms of sustainability.

Both Councillors paid tribute to the efforts of the Head teacher and the Leader undertook to write to pass on congratulations.

Huw Jones introduced the contents of the report and the context for the current decision. Jennifer Makkreel provided Cabinet with an update on the current negotiations with the contractor and stressed that these were not intended to increase the budget but rather to bring the contract costs in line with the budget available.

RESOLVED:              Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the Stage 2 Full Business Case up to the financial limit of £6.66m and to agree delegation of authority to the Director of Environment and Economy, to approve letting of the construction contract within the agreed financial limit (£6.66m).