Issue details

17/00040 - Delivery of construction projects under the Priority School Building Programme Round 2 at Swadelands School, Lenham and Benenden C of E Primary School, Benenden, on behalf of the Education Funding Agency.

 

 

The Education Funding Agency (EfA) approached Kent County Council to deliver construction projects approved under the Priority Schools Building Programme Round 2.  Projects at Swadelands School, Lenham and Benenden C of E Primary School are the two initial schemes to be delivered.  Further schemes are under discussion and further decisions regarding additional projects will be required in due course.

 

The Education Funding Agency will provide the appropriate level of funding relating to the Priority School Building Programme Round 2 projects. A detailed Business Case will be provided to the EFA and a Funding Approval letter will be issued confirming the extent of funding to be provided. The construction specification will follow the requirements laid down by the EFA within the Priority School Building Programme.

 

There is a budget allocation within the Budget Book relating to the Priority School Building Programme, which was agreed to cover additional costs for Basic Need expansions; relocation of existing services and associated costs within both Priority Schools Building Programme Round 1 and 2.

 

The Swadelands School, Lenham requires the replacement of the current Science classroom building, which is of poor condition and undersized for the requirements of the school.  The EfA have approved the detailed design.

 

KCC will be provided with a Project Support Grant by the EFA to undertake these projects directly.  The Project Support Grant provides for feasibility and survey costs, together with Project Management costs associated with delivery of each scheme. 

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Division affected: Cranbrook; Maidstone Rural East;

Notice of proposed decision first published: 20/03/2017

Decision due: Not before 21st Apr 2017 by Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services
Reason: in order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimum of 28 days, in accordance with statutory requirements

Lead member: Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services

Lead director: Rebecca Spore

Department: Strategic & Corporate Services

Contact: Esther Larner, Senior Project Manager - Capital Programme Delivery Email: esther.larner@kent.gov.uk.

Consultees

Open Public Consultation meetings have taken place at both Benenden C of E Primary School and Swadelands School, Lenham.

 

Jenny Whittle has been consulted about the project at Swadelands School, Lenham

 

Seán Holden has been consulted about the project at Benenden C of E Primary School

 

The proposed decision was discussed by the Property Sub-Committee on 21 March 2017 and was endorsed.

Financial implications: The Swadelands School, Lenham project will be fully funded by the EfA. KCC will not be required to fund any works. The School is currently transferring to Academy status within the Valley Invicta Academy Trust and the Trust have been fully involved in the detailed design of the new science classroom building. The value of the project is likely to be £2.5m to £3m, but final contractual matters are yet to be agreed. At Benenden C of E Primary School there is an intention to increase the size of the school under Basic Need provision from 175 students to 210 students. The proposal is to replace the current school with a new building on a new site, within the village setting. KCC will contribute to the costs of new building to cover the additional costs of 35 pupil places and this will be funded from the Priority Schools Building Programme allocation within the Budget book. The value of the project is likely to be £5.5m, but final contractual matters are yet to be agreed.

Legal implications: KCC will be the contracting employer for the construction contract and will enter into appropriate contract responsibilities and liabilities for each project. All risks will be assessed and where appropriate KCC will receive additional funding to cover any known risks. KCC will enter into an appropriate agreement with the EFA to ensure the funding is received in advance of any payments made to the construction contractor. The projects will be procured using the KCC’s Principal Contractors Framework. Kent County Council has the responsibility to provide Basic Need pupil places, and an additional 35 spaces have been highlighted to be required at Benenden C of E Primary School.

Equalities implications: There are no known Equalities implications with these projects.

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