Decision

Following the execution of the main build contract relating to the Silverwood School expansion Phase 3 New Classroom Block project in the sum of £27.5m – To enter into a Deed of Variation with Willmott Dixon Construction to amend the Defects Date of the project.

Following the execution of the main build contract relating to the Silverwood School expansion project – Phase 4 alterations to Rowdeford House, Orchard Block and the creation of a new MUGA in the sum of £2,081,596.00.

To enter into a Deed of Variation with Beard Construction to amend the contract sum and contract programme as a consequence of a large number of unforeseen matters that only became apparent after construction works had started on site and having a significant impact on price and programme.

Namely, issues with the listed nature of Rowdeford House, issues with the fabric of Orchard Unit, the discovery of roosting bats in Rowdeford House and Orchard Unit as well as a decision made by the Council to replace the asbestos containing roof covering to Orchard Unit with a non-asbestos covering.

The impact is a change in the contract sum to £4,023,586.08 and a revised completion date of 21/10/2026.

Reasons for the decision

The expansion of Silverwood School as approved by Cabinet on 19/11/2019 and at an overall cost of circa £38.477m is being delivered across a number of separate construction phases:

Phases 1 and 2: Infrastructure and enabling works (completed),
Phase 3: New classroom block,
Phase 4: Alterations to Rowdeford House and Orchard Unit,
Phase 5: Improvements to Silverwood Trowbridge and Chippenham campus sites,

There is a requirement to enter into two separate Deed of Variations to the already executed Phase 3 build contract between Wiltshire Council and Willmott Dixon Construction, and the Phase 4 build contract between Wiltshire Council and Beard Construction for the reasons outlined in the decisions section of this RoOD.

This Record of Officer Decision is to enter into the two separate Deed’s of Variation with Willmott Dixon and with Beard Construction and the DoV’s are to be read alongside the previously executed construction contracts.

There is no cost implication regarding the DoV with Willmott Dixon. Under the DoV, the Defects date as set out in the executed construction contract is to be extended to 05/06/2026.

There is a cost and programme implication regarding the DoV with Beard Construction. The contract sum is increased from £2,081,596.00 to £4,023,586.08 and the construction programme is to be extended to 21/10/2026.

The cost increase is being met from the overall £38.477m budget for the expansion of Silverwood School and the cost increase has been agreed at the meeting of the Education Capital Board held on 24/03/2026 chaired by Kathryn Davis – Education and Skills Director. The scope of the yet to be commenced Phase 5 scheme will have to be reduced to mitigate the cost impact on the overall programme budget.


I confirm that in making this decision I have considered the following in line with Wiltshire Council’s Constitution:

Key decision requirements Yes
Views of relevant cabinet member(s), committee chairman, area board(s) No

Consideration of the area boards and delegated decision checklist for officers on the issue of when and how to involve local councillors and area boards in decisions about local services N/A

Implication of any council policy, initiative, strategy or procedure Yes

Consultation in accordance with the council’s consultation strategy No

Range of options available Yes

Staffing, financial and legal implications N/A

Risk assessment No

Involvement of statutory officers and/or directors Yes

Regional or national guidance from other bodies No

The council’s constitution Yes

This contract is suitable for execution under the e-signature process. Yes

Alternative options considered

As there are no financial implications for Wiltshire Council concerning the Deed of Variation relating to the Phase 3 works, no alternate option has been considered.

The remaining Phase 4 works have been scaled back in nature in order to reduce the financial consequence of the issues that have arisen thus far during the course of the works.