Issue - meetings

(Report of the Director of Children’s Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children). The report seeks approval to appoint contractors for the Rhodes Avenue School Phase 3 Expansion project.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children, which sought approval to vary the third phase of the contract with Balfour Beatty Scottish and Southern Ltd, to deliver the Rhodes Avenue Phase 3 Expansion Project.

Exempt information pertaining to the report was considered under agenda item 24.

RESOLVED:

1. That the variation of Phase 3 of the contract with Balfour Beatty Scottish and Southern Ltd in the sum of £3,699,118, which is fully funded from the Capital Programme, be approved.

2. That the issuing of a letter of variation in respect of the variation, prior to formal contract signature for 10% of the variation value in the sum of £369,911, be approved.

3. That it be noted that the total cost of Phase 3, including all fees and other associated costs, as defined in the exempt part of the report, in the sum of £4,360,000 and to approve this value as the cash limit budget for this phase of the project.

4. That it be noted that the current provision within the CYPS capital programme for Phase 3 of Rhodes Avenue Expansion was £2,700,000 and agree therefore that a virement was approved from the CYPS capital programme contingency in the sum of £1,600,00 to support the cash limit budget recommended above. 

Alternative Options Considered

The following alternative options were considered:

Ø  Do nothing – this option would not achieve the authority’s key responsibility in providing sufficient primary school places

Ø  Reduce Scope – This failed to address existing condition and suitability issues contained within the project brief

To continue with existing contractual arrangements (traditional contract) – This did not provide the Council with cost and time certainty

Reasons for Decision

To complete the expansion of Rhodes Avenue Primary School to service the increased pupil numbers in the area and to minimise the Council’s exposure to costs and further delays to the programme by varying the final phase of work as a Design and Build project.