Decision details

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

a)        Noted the request contained in the Capital Update Report elsewhere on the agenda for budget approval for £761.3k of additional funding from DFE Basic Needs Funding to complete the Earls Barton Primary School Expansion scheme.

b)        Delegated to the Executive Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Executive Member of Children, Families, Education and to take all necessary actions to deliver the project.

Reasons for Recommendations: The recommendations set out above allow the Council to move forward with the Expansion of Earls Barton Primary School by:

·            Adopting the most cost-effective course of action.

·            Minimising financial risk to the Council of further increased costs and liabilities to stop works.

·            Supporting the Council in delivering its statutory duties to provide a sufficient supply of school places.

Alternative Options Considered:  The only other option available to the Council is if we do not provide the additional funding, this would therefore stop the construction and termination of  the contract:

a)    There would be significant costs to the Council to shut down the works, as the site is currently a construction site and would need to be returned to a useable state and council has entered a contract therefore there could be legal costs relating to contract terminations.

b)    The S106 funding was directly attributed to Earls Barton Primary School and if it cannot be spent on this school would have to be discussed by with the developers and may need to be handed back.

c)    There would be significant reputational damage to abandon a school project after construction works have started.

d)    NNC have a duty to provide sufficient school places.