The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on proposed major refurbishment works to St Michaels Primary School as a part of the second phase of the Department for Education’s (DfE) Priority Schools Building Programme.  The report sought approval to award a contract for the works and to spend the grant funding from the DfE.

The report noted that in 2014 the Council had made several bids for the renovation of school buildings in very poor condition, and had been successful with bids for work at Caversham Primary, Phoenix College and St Michaels Primary. The DfE had agreed that the project at St Michaels would be designated as ‘self-delivery’ for the local authority.  The project was to meet condition need only, and did not address the suitability of existing accommodation or potential shortfalls in accommodation.  

The report explained that the proposed works included recladding the two-storey block to improve thermal values, upgrading or replacing necessary elements such as windows, doors and ceiling tiles as well as upgrading heating and lighting services. Changes to improve accessibility include the addition of an accessible WC off the entrance lobby. The current entrance doors would be replaced with an automatic glazed door entry system and new fire escape doors would be added to the hall to improve fire evacuation.  Phasing of the project would allow the school to remain operational throughout the building works.

The report stated that the contractor E W Beard Ltd had been selected via the Intermediate Construction Framework (an OJEU tender framework), and that the agreed work had initially been valued by the DfE at £2.41 million based upon their usual rates for refurbishment works.  It was reported at the meeting that the DfE had now confirmed an increased grant of £2.72m to cover the full cost of the works.  The grant needed to be spent by 31 March 2021.

Resolved –

(1)     That the Council enter into a contract with E W Beard Ltd to carry out the proposed refurbishment works;

(2)     That spend approval be given for the £2.72 million grant funding from the DfE for condition works at the school.