Decision details

Further decision – No: 140003/C

July 2015

As a result of costs within the construction sector having risen significantly since the original estimates were made, and in particular construction costs within late 2014 reaching unanticipated levels, further capital funding is necessary to complete this project.

In order to continue the project as planned, a further £2.28million is requested from the Capital Budget.

Reasons for decision:

The EducationCabinet Committeepaper ofthe 14January 2014estimated thetotal costof therebuild and expansionof TunstallCE PrimarySchool onits newsite tobe inthe regionof £4,8m.  Costswithin the construction sector haverisen significantlysince theoriginal estimateswere made.   Therevised estimated projectcost isnow inthe regionof £7.1m andappropriate fundinghas beenidentified as part ofthe MediumTerm Capitalprogramme, which includes fundingfrom theTargeted BasicNeed allocation made bythe DfEin August2013.  Asthe revisedestimated projectcost ismore than10%of theoriginal estimate,a furtherdecision is requiredto allocatethe additionalfunds.

Financial Implications:

a.      Capital  -The  school  will  be  rebuilt  as  a  2FE  school  on  a  site  owned  by  the County Council,  located approximately  500metres tothe northeast ofthe existing  school.   Therevised totalcost is estimatedto bein theregion of£7.1m.  Thecosts ofthe projectare estimatesand thesemay increase as theproject isdeveloped.   Ifthe costof theproject isgreater than10%the Cabinet Member willbe requiredto takea furtherdecision toallocate theadditional funding.

b. Revenue- Theschoolwill receiveincreased fundingthrough theDelegatedBudgeton a'per pupil' basis.

c.Human  -Tunstall  CE  Primary  School  will  appoint  additional  teachers,  as  the  school  size increasesand theneed arises.

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14/0003 & 14/0003/B

It is proposed to relocate and rebuild the school on a site owned by KCC located approximately 500 metres to the north east of the existing school. It is also proposed to enlarge Tunstall CE Primary School by 30 reception year places, taking the published admissions number (PAN) from 30 to 60 (Two Forms of Entry) for the September 2015 intake.

The project is in line with Kent strategies and in particular supports the following;

Bold Steps for Kent prioritises 

3: Ensure all pupils meet their full potential

4: Shape education and skills provision around the needs of the Kent economy

Following objections being received to the Public Notice to relocate and expand Tunstall Primary School it is necessary for the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform to take a further decision to complete the process.

In accordance with 14/0003 (a) having received new objections to the proposals during the public notice period, the Cabinet Member was required to have regard to those objections and consider the proposals again in light of them. 

The result was decision 14/0003 (b) below:

The Cabinet Member has considered the new objections received during the statutory public notice period and having done so has confirmed that he agrees to:

(i)            Relocate and expand the Tunstall school subject to planning permission being agreed

(ii)          Allocate £4,818,000 from the Education. Learning and Skills Capital Budget.

(iii)         Authorise the Director of Property and Infrastructure Support in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance to enter into any necessary contracts/ agreements on behalf of the County Council

(iv)         Authorise the Director of Property and Infrastructure Support to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts