Decision details

Financial Implications

Capital – The enlargement of the school requires the provision of 7 additional classrooms, as well as ancillary facilities.  The total cost estimated was in in the region of £1.5m and appropriate funding identified as part of the Medium Term Capital Programme.   The revised total cost is estimated to be in the region of £3.5.  The revised costs of the project are estimates and these may increase as the project is developed.  If the cost of the project exceeds the revised estimated cost by more than 10%, the Cabinet Member will be required to take a further decision to allocate funding.

Revenue - The school will receive increased funding through the Delegated Budget on a 'per pupil' basis.

The original estimate of £1.5m was based on the provision of 7 additional classrooms, as well as ancillary facilities.  In order to meet potential planning objections due to the increased pressure on the road system in and around the school, the original scheme had to be re-designed to create a “one way” traffic system – enabling cars to enter the site from the Joy Lane entrance and exit the site through an internal roadway onto Vulcan Close. This entails, creation of an internal roadway, the demolition of the (no longer used) Ladesfield Care Home building, in order to connect the internal roadway to Vulcan Close and the re-siting of fencing to take some of the original Ladesfield Care Home site into the boundary of Joy Lane Primary School to provide additional parking spaces. The additional work required on the Ladesfield site was not taken into consideration at that time as the original project planned on utilising the current entrance and exit arrangements via Joy Lane.  See appendices 1 and 2 showing the current Ladesfield site and the proposed changes following demolition, showing the planned access into Joy Lane Primary School.

This report seeks agreement for the estimated additional funding of £2m being more than 10% of the original estimate agreed. Costs within the construction sector have risen significantly since the original estimates were made. Current inflationary pressures are continuing the upward trend, driven by skills shortages and raw material price demands.  Continued design development in response to issues coming out of the planning consultation, including additional highways works and parking on site requirements, together with additional abnormal costs relating to the Ladesfield demolition and access, have all added to the inflationary pressures.

Legal Implications

None

Equalities Impact

A full impact assessment has been completed and updated as required.

As Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform, I agree to allocate £2m from the Education and Young People’s Services Capital Budget