Issue details

Proposed decision

The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills is asked to:

a)       Approve the allocation of £1,440,000 from the Children’s, Young People and Education Modernisation Programme Capital Budget to permit the required works for the modular replacement.

b)       Delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure to, in consultation with the Director of Education, enter into any necessary contracts or other legal agreements, as required to implement this decision; and

c)       Agree for the Director of Infrastructure to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements, with authority to enter variations as envisaged under the contracts.

Reason for the decision

Kent County Council (KCC), as the relevant Local Authority, is responsible for the maintenance of Community and Voluntary Controlled school buildings in Kent. This responsibility is taken seriously, with continuous maintenance and modernisation programmes in place to ensure that the school estate is fit for purpose. Included within these programmes are routine building checks that identify possible future maintenance issues with accommodation.

Blean Primary School currently has 2 modular buildings which are severely dilapidated and have reached the end of their economic lifespan and both require replacement.  For economies of scale and to suit operation of the school, it is proposed both separate units are being replaced with one new teaching block.

Financial Implications

The combined cost is estimated at £1,440,000 which is inclusive of works, fees and contingency.

The cost for instructing the winning tender is as follows.

Proposed Tender Costs: £1,063,900.00

Professional Fees: £159,352.00

KCC Contingency: Allowance £216,748

Total Forecast Project = £1,440,000

All costs are expected to be capital costs only. This is proposed to be funded from the Schools Modernisation Programme Capital Budget and £1.4m was included as part of the capital budget agreed by the County Council in February 2024. There are no revenue costs expected. 

Legal Implications  

KCC, as the Local Authority (LA), has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places are available. This duty applies to Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, as well as mainstream settings. The County Council’s Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent 2024 - 28 is a five-year rolling plan which is updated annually. It sets out KCC’s future plans as Strategic Commissioner of Education Provision across all types and phases of education in Kent.

KCC has a statutory duty to provide a compliant standard of safety and comfort to staff, children and visitors to the school. KCC also have a statutory duty to provide school places and the implications of not undertaking this work will lead to further deterioration, and ultimately failure which could result in temporary school closure.