To seek approval to proceed with the Garw Valley South scheme at a revised overall project budget not exceeding £11.2 million and subject to approval above, note that the Chief Executive intends to make a revision to the Capital Programme.  Delegate authority to the Corporate Director – Education and Family Support to conduct negotiations, if necessary, with the lowest priced tenderer, in accordance with procurement legislation.  Subject to the successful outcome of any such negotiations, delegate authority to the Corporate Director – Education and Family Support to award a contract, the terms to be finalised in consultation with the Corporate Director – Operations and Partnerships and the s151 Officer.  Grant approval to modify the decision made by Cabinet on the 1^st September 2015, in respect of the proposal to make a regulated alteration to Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwm Garw, by varying the opening date of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwm Garw from September 2018 to January 2019.

The Corporate Director Education and Family Support explained that the purpose of the report was to seek approval to proceed with the Garw Valley South scheme at a revised overall project budget not exceeding £11.2 million. Subject to Cabinet approval a revision to the Capital Programme would be required. Delegated authority to the Corporate Director – Education and Family Support was also being sought to conduct negotiations with the lowest priced tenderer, and subject to the successful outcome of negotiations, to award a contract, the terms to be finalised in consultation with the Corporate Director – Operational and Partnership Services and the S151 Officer. She also explained that approval was being sought to modify the decision made by Cabinet on 1st September 2015 in respect of the proposal to make a regulated alteration by varying the opening date of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwm Garw from September 2018 to January 2019.

She explained that prices for the construction of the school were submitted by five of seven contractors who were invited to tender. Unfortunately the construction costs received were initially higher than the available budget, ranging between £9.7 million and £12.65 million against a construction budget of £8 million. Following advice from Legal and Procurement, the tender process was re-run with a reduced specification with the budget figure being made known to potential tenderers and allowing alternative proposals. Revised tenders were being considered by technical officers to ensure that proposals met design requirements, the available budget and Welsh Government funding conditions.     

Discussions had taken place with Welsh Government officials to agree in principle to seek permission from the Council to vire £1.2 million of the £1.5 million budget allocated against specialist provision for children with autism under the 21^st Century Schools Programme.     

Due to the urgency and potential risk of losing Welsh Government Funding in 16-17, approval was sought to vire the funding as detailed to revise the Capital programme in accordance with the Council’s Scheme of Delegation.

As the relocation of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwm Garw was subject to a statutory notice it was necessary for Cabinet to modify the decision by varying the opening date of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwm Garw from September 2018 to January 2019.

The Cabinet Member Resources commented that he was disappointed that no tenders had been returned within the initial plan, and he acknowledged  that considerable work had been undertaken to get the project to this stage.

RESOLVED                                       That Cabinet:

1.         Granted approval to proceed with the Garw Valley South scheme at a revised overall project budget not exceeding £11.2 million.

2.         Noted that the Chief Executive intended to make a revision to the Capital Programme to reflect the increased budget for the proposed Garw Valley South scheme and a corresponding reduction in the capital budget for the ASD scheme within the Band A funding envelope of the 21st Century Schools Programme and further noted that a report should be presented to the next Council meeting in October detailing the revision to the Capital Programme

3.         Delegated authority to the Corporate Director – Education and Family Support to conduct negotiations, if necessary, with the lowest priced tenderer, in accordance with procurement legislation.

4.         Subject to the successful outcome of any such negotiations, delegated authority to the Corporate Director – Education and Family Support to award a contract, the terms to be finalised in consultation with the Corporate Director – Operational and Partnership Services and the S151 Officer.

5.        Granted approval to modify the decision made by Cabinet on the 1^st September 2015, in respect of the proposal to make a regulated alteration to Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwm Garw by varying the opening date of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwm Garw from September 2018 to January 2019 and to serve the appropriate notices.