Purpose

This
report seeks approval from the Assistant Director of Property and
Investment to award a construction contract to Whitfield and Brown
Developments Ltd. The proposed contract covers the construction of
a single-storey extension and internal modifications at Foxfield
School, located on New Hey Road, Woodchurch. The works are
scheduled to be completed over a 28-week period and are intended to
support an increased intake of pupils with profound and multiple
learning disabilities (PMLD).
 

Decision

The Assistant Director
of Property and Investment has approved the award of a contract for
the construction of single storey extension and internal
alterations at Foxfield School, New Hey Road, Woodchurch to
Whitfield and Brown
Developments Limited (Company Number 1060958) for a 28-week
term in accordance with the most economically advantageous tender
criteria at a contract price of £737,679.92. 
 

Reasons for the decision

The proposal to
construct a single storey extension and carry out internal
alterations to Foxfield School is to allow the provision of
additional Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD)
Classrooms and facilities required for the increase of children to
the school with these needs.

Alternative options considered

Due to the identified
need for additional school places, it is not feasible to pursue a
'do nothing' approach. The demand for SEND educational provision
must be addressed to ensure that sufficient capacity is available
to accommodate current and projected pupil numbers. Failure to act
would result in a shortfall of school places, which could have
significant implications for local communities and educational
outcomes
 
The young people could
have been offered education provision at another school; Foxfield
School meets the needs of children with complex needs and has the
capacity for capital works. The school has the correct staff and
resources to meet the needs of complex needs, placing young people
at another school could have led to school non-attendance and
impact of the well-being of the young person.
 
The young person could
have been placed at an out of borough provision, this would have
been much more expensive and mean the young person needed to attend
a school out of borough, this would not be the best use of the
resources available to the council.