Decision details

Authority to spend £3.3m from Capital Scheme 16891/SLS/000 in relation the South SILC expansion.

Further to Minute No. 216, 5^th March 2014, the Director of Children’s Services submitted a report providing background information and detail in respect of the Basic Need schemes to expand the North East Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre (SILC) and the South SILC, whilst the report also sought the necessary authority to approve expenditure for the proposed expansions.

A verbal update was provided by the Council’s Chief Procurement Officer who drew the Board’s attention to omissions in the contractor’s bid which resulted in an increase in the total funding required for the proposals for the North East SILC. Members were requested to approve a revised cost of £10,329,100. Members received details on the reasons for the discrepancy and considered the most appropriate way to proceed.

In conclusion and in order to minimise the risk of any such issues happening again, it was requested that the Council’s existing procedures around the scrutiny of submitted tenders be reviewed, with a further report on the review’s findings and proposed next steps being submitted to the Board in due course for Members’ consideration. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That expenditure of £10,329,100 from capital scheme number 16981/NES/000 to enable the construction work associated with the expansion to the North East SILC be authorised, and that expenditure of £4,071,100 from capital scheme number 16981/SLS/000 to enable the construction work associated with the expansion to the South SILC also be authorised.

(b)  That the programme dates identified in section 4.0 of the submitted report regarding the implementation of this decision be noted, together with the fact that the final delivery date for total completion of this scheme is September 2015.

(c)  That it be noted that the Project Manager, PPPU is responsible for the implementation of such matters.

(d)  That the Council’s procedures around the scrutiny of submitted tenders be reviewed, with a further report on the review’s findings and proposed next steps being submitted to the Board in due course for Members’ consideration.

Key stakeholders to be consulted with throughout the design and consultation process.

Lead Officer, Ward Members, South SILC (including the Governing body), LCC Complex Needs Team, Planning and Highways.