Issue - meetings

The report seeks approval to appoint the recommended contractor (named in the exempt part of the report) for the Welbourne Primary School expansion project.

The Leader considered a report that sought approval to appoint the recommended contractor (named in the exempt part of the report) for the Welbourne School expansion project.

It was noted that expansion of the school was considered necessary on the basis of statistical evidence that projected a high demand for primary school places in the Borough from September 2013 onwards.

RESOLVED:

1. That the contract and contract sum be awarded to the contractor named in the exempt part of the report.

2. That the issuing of a letter of intent, prior to formal contract signature for 10% of the contract value, be approved.

Alternative Options Considered

Doing nothing would not achieve the Council’s key responsibility to provide sufficient primary school places. In terms of alterations and additions various options were considered at the feasibility assessment stage and one of these was to build over the existing classroom blocks; however, this was deemed to be expensive and the risk attached to it to be too high. The new build option on the vacant land was considered to be less expensive, lower risk and the least disruptive option to the school.

Reasons for Decision

The proposed expansion is required due to the indicative statistical evidence that demonstrates the need for additional reception places by August 2013.