Purpose

To carry out alterations to the above school including a new vehicular and pedestrian access, carpark, relocation of the reception area and associated works to the interior of the school.

Decision

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

1. Authorise the design and construction of the new car park, a new reception block and the refurbishment of existing reception to accommodate access and a designated SEND space.
2. Agree the project budget of £5,374,000 exclusive of VAT. Of this total, it is estimated that £509,000 would be allocated to the SEND budget.
3. Delegate authority to the Executive Director for Children and Young People’s Service to authorise the award of contracts for the works, subject to approval from legal, finance and procurement and within the budget for the works.
4. Delegate authority to the Executive Director for Children's Services in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance to take all necessary steps to give effect to the recommendations, including authorising the Council to enter into any necessary legal agreements.

Reasons for the decision

To approve to proceed with the design and construction of the following at Eye C of E Primary School –

-          A new car park and associated new reception space;

-          Refurbishment of the existing reception space to repurpose space as a designated SEND area to accommodate additional pupils.

Alternative options considered

Status quo – ‘do nothing’ – this option was rejected given the number of pupils already on the waiting list for a SEND provision within PCC.  The Council needs to comply with its statutory requirements to provide school places.