Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Family considered the decision making report. This report sought to identify and address building condition and suitability issues across the Education/schools estate. The initial condition and suitability surveys followed by comprehensive feasibility studies have evolved an extensive Children’s Capital Programme which sought to support essential condition improvements across the education estate.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families noted that there had been no site visit for this and flagged that due to the high priority of these works, this discussion should have come sooner. Works on this site would commence at the beginning of the next financial year, with a 56 completion timeline.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families RESOLVED

1.    To approve an award to Contractor B (named in Part B exempt information) up to the value of £2,130,187.00.

2.    To approve a client contingency as set out in Part B of this report which will be strictly managed under change control governance arrangements.

3.    To approve the issuance of a letter of intent for up to 10% of the contract value, as set out in Part B of this report.

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 Service estate need addressing in the short, medium, and long term.

North Harringay Primary School is high priority for major works due to issues relating to health and safety or the school is at risk of school closure.

In 2019 a commission was given to further investigate and address urgent works relating to the condition of building services. This construction contract award is to achieve the following:

 Replacement of windows

 Repairs to stone and ceramic tile cills

 External masonry brickwork and repointing

 Localised roof repairs and rainwater goods repairs to make full use of the scaffolding

 Installation of pigeon deterrent system

This construction award report requests a decision on the procurement of a contractor to undertake all the external envelope works identified, designed and approved by the project sponsor.

There is no Cabinet Meeting scheduled in August. A Cabinet Member decision is required in August 2023 to enable timely mobilisation and facilitate procurement of longer lead in materials as soon as possible which will offer greater likelihood of achieving maximum grant funding available.

Alternative Options Considered

Do nothing – 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.

Delaying a decision further would add additional time to the programme and cost to the council. Not being able to award a contract and place orders at the earliest opportunity would increase the risk of bidders not holding their price which could be impacted by inflation. The tender is based on bidders holding their price for up to XX weeks which this decision sits within.