Agenda item

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) which indicated that the requirement for a modular building framework had been identified by Education to enable the fast and efficient delivery of services required across the City. Currently, there is no capacity to complete capital building projects for schools or nurseries under the timescales specified. The Council would benefit from efficiency delivery of standardised modular building units that could easily be modified to meet the specific needs of the end user.

There are some immediate requirements within the City as a result of the National introduction of 30 hours free nursery provision for all children aged 3 and the requirement to ensure sufficient places are made available to facilitate this.

Monies and project approvals were being made available by the Department for Education (DFE), however, the spend deadlines were very tight thus limiting the Council on what can be delivered. The small modular solution enables single and double sized classroom extensions at various establishments around the City. Disruption would be kept to a minimum as most of the building work is constructed off site.  On site there are some ground preparation works, assembly and landscaping. This will limit disruption to approximately 6 weeks per site. Currently there is a requirement for 3 immediate nursery units (single) estimated at approximately £700k, and this funding is secure. In addition, 3 replacement Key units (double) along with a Key + unit (quad) combined are required with an estimated cost to be £1.2 million. These will be procured in line with the framework agreement for which approval was sought.

The three 30 hour free nurseries needed to be in situ and money spent by November, 2017 in order to meet DfE requirements. There could be further 30 hour free provision required subject to funding. These other units are expected to be in place by January, 2018 i.e. for the start of the term following the introduction of the new 30 hours free nursery places for children aged 3.

The Key + unit is provision for primary aged pupils who have been excluded from mainstream schools and provides schooling in a specialist school type setting for primary aged children who need help adjusting in a mainstream school.

In addition to the specific identified projects there was a further interest in modular provision from schools looking for additional space and the potential for wider use across other services in the Council in future.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet:-

1)  Approves the initial procurement of 3 nursery modular units for Mount Nod Primary School, Sacred Heart Primary School and St Gregory’s Primary school, to be funded from existing DfE approvals.

2)  Approves the procurement of a 4 year framework (3 years plus potential extension for a further 12 months) for modular buildings to support future needs across the City up to a maximum of £4m.

3)  Delegates authority for the award of the initial procurement and the framework to the Deputy Chief Executive (People) once a compliant procurement tender exercise has been conducted.