Decision

The Assistant Director of Property and
Investment has agreed to approve additional roof works to a section
of the building above the refurbishment works at Joseph Paxton
Campus, 157 Park Road North, Birkenhead to be carried out under an
extension of the scope of the contract that has been awarded
through further competition tender process under the Procure
Partnerships Framework to Whitfield and Brown Developments Limited
(Company Number 1060958) at an additional cost of £152,534.76
.

Reasons for the decision

Whitfield and Brown Developments Limited was
awarded of a contract for the refurbishment of a section of Joseph
Paxton Campus, for a 26-week term in accordance with the most
advantageous tender criteria at a contract price of
£1,179,354.33 by way of published Officer Decision of 25
October 2025.

A comprehensive roof condition survey was commissioned and
completed in 2023 to assess the integrity of the existing flat roof
structure. The findings confirmed that the current roof covering is
in poor condition and has reached the end of its serviceable life,
presented a significant risk of water ingress if left unaddressed.
Failure to rectify these issues could result in deterioration of
internal finishes and building fabric, leading to increased
maintenance costs and disruption.

To mitigate these risks, the roof replacement works will be
undertaken concurrently with the approved planned internal
refurbishment. This co-ordinated approach will protect the
investment in the refurbishment works, ensure long-term building
performance, and reduce the likelihood of future damage caused by
water penetration.

These roofing works will be funded separately from the
refurbishment works via School Capital Allocation.

Alternative options considered

To do nothing would result in a high risk of
water ingress leading to damage of refurbished areas, increased
maintenance costs, and potential disruption to operations.

Undertake roof replacement works independently at a later date
would increase the overall cost due to duplication of site setup,
potential damage to new internal finishes before roof works are
completed, and operational disruption during future roof
works.

Carry out localised repairs to extend the life of the existing roof
would be a short-term solution with limited effectiveness, ongoing
risk of water ingress, and potential for repeated maintenance
interventions.