The Officer Key Decision meeting on Wednesday 18 December 2024 approved the award of a contract for suitability works at Winsor Primary School. The decision was made by Laura Eden, Corporate Director of Children and Young People's Service.

Winsor School Suitability Works - Award of Contract

The Corporate Director of Children and Young People's Service approved the award of a design and build contract to Every Project Counts Ltd for works at Winsor Primary School¹. The contract is valued at £916,197.75 and will involve relocating and refurbishing the existing kitchen and staff room. These works include internal adaptations, remodelling, and mechanical and electrical alterations, with a scheduled commencement in February 2025.

This project was initially approved by Cabinet in April 2022 with a gross cost of £1,343,356. However, the original contractor significantly increased their price, exceeding the allocated budget. Following this, a further feasibility study was commissioned to redesign the works within the approved budget. The new design, developed in partnership with the project team and the school, aims to improve operational efficiency by moving the kitchen facilities closer to the dining hall. This will mitigate the need for hot food trolleys to be manoeuvred through narrow corridors. Additionally, all kitchen gas appliances will be converted to electric to help reduce the school's carbon footprint.

The funding for these works is being drawn from the 2020/2021 Basic Need grant funding from the Department for Education. The total project cost is £1,093,998.75, which includes construction works (£816,197.75), a UKPN electrical update (£100,000.00), professional fees (£65,296.00), and planning, design fees, surveys, and statutory authorities (£112,505.00). An additional provisional sum of £100,000 for UKPN costs will be covered by savings from the current tender submission.

The decision supports the council's priority of Building a Fairer Newham, specifically Priority 6, which focuses on supporting young people and ensuring they have the best start in life, reach their potential, and are safe, happy, and healthy. The works are considered necessary for health and safety reasons and to improve the school's facilities.