Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Families considered the report which sought approval for an award of contract to carry out External Envelope, Boundary Works and 1st Floor Window Replacement at Seven Sisters Primary School, and to approve issuance of a Letter of Intent.

Officers advised that for all projects, there was a project management team and contract administrators to manage the project.  If there were any issues with the works, these would be dealt with by the project managers.

RESOLVED to

1.         Approve an award of contract to Contractor A up to a value of £1,264,690.60.

2.         Approve a client construction contingency of 10% that equates to £114,971.87, which will be strictly managed under change control governance arrangements.

3.         Approve the issuance of a letter of intent for up to 10% of the contract value, totalling £114,971.87

Reasons for decision

A major review of the condition and suitability of the Children’s Services estate has been undertaken, which has informed the Children’s Service’s Asset Management Plan (CSAMP).  This identified condition and suitability deficiencies in the primary, secondary, and wider Children’s Services estate that need addressing in the short, medium, and long-term.  Seven Sisters Primary School is a high priority for major works due to issues relating to safeguarding and potential school closure risk.

In 2018, an initial brief was given to undertake the most immediate (short term) health and safety, compliance, and resilience work. These findings included fire compartmentation and fire doors replacement and were subject to a separate award under delegated powers.

In 2019, a further commission was given to further investigate and address urgent works relating to the condition of building services (i.e. heating), external envelope (i.e. roofs, windows) and boundary security.

A scheme for Seven Sisters Primary School was developed into 2 phases. Phase 1 sought to meet the criteria for Public Sector Decarbonisation (Salix) grant funding (a grant contribution of £0.633m), minimise disruption to the school by maximising access over the 2021 school summer holiday period, ensure resilience for heating and hot water and support a comprehensive phasing plan. A construction award to Mulalley & Co Ltd was supported by Cabinet on the 15^th June 2021 and commenced on site in July 2021. Phase 1 works include heating distribution system upgrade, loft insulation, flat roof works, masonry repairs and ground floor window replacement works.  Both phases of works will improve the condition of the building for better education delivery but will also improve the energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions during operation.

This construction award report requests a decision on the procurement of Contractor A to undertake the following works:

·         1^st floor windows and pitched roof repairs

·         External walls repairs

·         Provision of a compliant entrance ramp

·         Repairs and replacement of boundary walls and fences

·         Repairs to underground drainage

·         Repairs to external surfaces

Alternative options considered

Do nothing option - a decision not to support this award of construction contract will result in the Councils failure to suitably maintain its education estate by undertaking essential condition improvements. This would increase the likelihood of reactive works, which will create greater disruption and cost to the Council and potentially result in the loss of education days. All of which would undoubtedly impact on the quality of teaching and learning and potentially school closure.