Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Decision approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: December 3, 2024

Purpose: This report is the pre procurement report for the Department of Education (DfE) Capital condition programme.   Every year the council receive grant funding from the (DfE) to carry out condition works to the council’s maintained school`s. This work consist of various mechanical, electrical and building works.  Most of these are to upgrade existing buildings, including rewiring, boiler replacements, heating and water pipework replacement, roof replacements, window replacements, external structural works and playground reconstruction   A proposed programme of works has been identified for 2025/2026 plus provisional programmes for the subsequent two years. This can assist schools with an indication of when projects may take place, subject to the level of funding that may be available at that time. The programme may change depending on the financial allocation we receive from the DfE and if other urgent works at a school are identified. 

Content: Decision   For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to:   i)  The procurement of the proposed capital condition programme for 2025/2026 for the Council`s maintained schools with respect to the projects in Appendix 1 up to an aggregate investment of £3.55m.   ii)  The contingency of £300,000, which is included within the aggregate investment as a general contingency for the whole programme.   iii)  Approve that, if the DfE funding allocated to the Council for the programme is less than £3.55m, the shortfall between the level of DfE funding and the cost of the programme be met out of the Corporate New Additions capital budget, subject to a maximum of £1m. In the event the shortfall is more than £1m, the programme will be reduced in scope in order to limit the level of capital investment by the Council to a maximum of £1m.   iv)  Delegate authority to the Director of Education in consultation with the Director of Property and Lead Member for Children Services and Education, to extend the scope of the programme in the event the Council receives an allocation of capital funding from the DfE in excess of £3.55m, subject to the total cost not exceeding the level of DfE funding.   v)  Delegate authority to the Director of Education in consultation with the Director of Property to vary the scope of individual projects and to substitute projects in response to changes in priorities, extensions or variations, to be limited to the total amount of the overall budget for the programme.   Alternatives Considered   a)  The projects identified in this report are those considered as being of a priority due to age and or potential failure that could impact on educational delivery at a school or have Health and Safety implications. Therefore, there is no real alternative other than replace the particular building element which has effectively reached the end of life. b)  The DfE funding is specifically provided for LA’s to undertake a regular programme of capital planned condition works each year to maintain and enhance the facility and contribute to the educational achievements obtained.