Decision details

Following approval of the statutory process Moor Allerton Hall Primary School is due to expand to three forms of entry with effect from September 2019.  To facilitate this expansion it is necessary to relocate the existing Community Centre and Children’s Centre so their areas can be used to support the school.  To facilitate this the Highwood Pub, located across the road from the school, is to be refurbished and utilised for this new purpose.  This request seeks to outline the proposed construction project necessary to complete this task.  This report will seek approval to spend, acceptance of the tender and permission to enter into the full construction contract for the aforementioned works. 

Further to Minute No. 67, 19^th September 2018, the Director of City Development submitted a report which detailed proposals regarding the renovation of the Highwood Public House in order to enable it to be utilised as a Community Hub. The report also sought the necessary approvals to progress this proposal.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board noted the actions which would be taken with the aim of ensuring that the project remained within budget. Members also received further information on the considerations which had been taken to put forward this proposal of renovating the public house as the most appropriate way forward.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the expenditure of £800,000 from capital scheme number 32737/MAL/CHI & 32737/MAL/COM for the construction work and associated fees for the renovation of the Highwood Public House for use as a combined Community Centre and Children’s Centre, necessary to facilitate the forthcoming expansion of Moor Allerton Hall Primary School, be approved;

(b)  That the acceptance of the tender submitted via the Leeds Local Education Partnership in the sum of £590,938.70, inclusive of all design fees, development costs and surveys, be authorised, with the release of funding for the construction costs being subject to valuations completed and validated by NPS Ltd. (Leeds);

(c)  That the requirement to enter into a contractual agreement with D&B One Co. to deliver the development at the Highwood Public House, be authorised, which will take the form of a JCT 2016 head contract between the authority and Leeds D&B One Ltd. for the sum of £590,938.70, with it being noted that there will be a pass-down contract between Leeds D&B One Ltd. and Walter West Builders Limited;

(d)  That approval in principle be given to the granting of a lease to the Brackenwood Community Association at less than best consideration of the new premises at the renovated Highwood site, and that the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of City Development in order to enable the Director to agree detailed terms (including at a less than best consideration) of the lease and for the surrender of current occupation at the school;

(e)  That it be noted that the officer(s) responsible for the implementation of such matters are the Head of Service Projects & Programmes, Asset Management and Regeneration and the Head of Learning Systems, Childrens and Families.

The formal proposal to expand the school was subject to a separate statutory consultation process.  The required construction project arising from this has been subject to separate consultation with the parties noted below.  Ward member briefings have taken place prior to planning being submitted, further to this a multiple pre-planning drop-in sessions were held at the school for parents, carers and local residents.

The proposal to expand Allerton C of E Primary School has been subject to the following consultees; Executive Member for Learning, Skills and Employment, Moortown Ward Members, Leeds City Council Planning Department (including landscape & urban design), Allerton High School and their PFI provider, Leeds City Council Highways Department, Leeds City Council Asset Management Department, Staff at the existing school, local residents in the affected wards, the Diocese and parents an carers.