Decision details

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approves capital funding allocated within the School Capital Maintenance Budget for the Capital Maintenance Programme 2024/25 to provide a safe building which currently has no fire breaks between the floors and which the Fire Officer has requested to ensure no enforcement notice is issued deeming the buildings to be unsafe for occupation at The Winston Churchill School. The capital funding required to develop the new facilities is commercially sensitive at this time and is set out in the Part 2 report.

2.    That Cabinet approves procurement of appropriate supply chain partners to deliver the design, build and installation of the new structures in accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Standing Orders.

3.    That Cabinet agrees to delegate to the Executive Director for Environment, Infrastructure and Growth in consultation with the Director of Land and Property to award such contracts, up to +/-10% of the budgetary tolerance level and any other legal documentation required to facilitate the approvals within this report.

4.    That Cabinet authorises Legal Services to seal any awarded contracts where required.

Reasons for Decisions:

The recommendations in this report:

• Provide a safe learning and working environment in keeping with the existing school design, ensuring the building has the required compartmentation to contain any fire risk.

• Reduce the risk to life of pupils, staff, and other stakeholders.

• Reduce the risk of extensive collateral damage in the event of a fire.

• Ensure that the Fire Officer does not issue an enforcement notice and the insurance broker is willing to provide cover for the building.

• Make an essential contribution towards the Council’s strategic objective to empower communities, in line with the 2030 Community Vision to ensure everyone benefits from education, skills and employment that help them to succeed in life. 

(The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee)