Decision details

Request for authority to spend to extend the former CLC building and undertake remodelling within the main school building at Allerton Grange School to facilitate permanent expansion of secondary provision from a capacity of 1200 pupils to 1500 pupils in years 7 to 11 with an increase in the admission number from 240 to 300 with effect from September 2021.

Further to Minute No. 11, 24^th June 2020, the Director of Children and Families and the Director of City Development submitted a joint report which set out the context regarding the proposed permanent expansion of Allerton Grange School and which sought approval for the necessary authority to spend and to incur related expenditure to facilitate the delivery of works for the permanent expansion of Allerton Grange School from September 2021.

In response to a Member’s enquiries, the Board received further information regarding the extent of the PFI and other associated fees which would be incurred as a result of the proposals and also in respect of the level of costs for the project.

With regard to the highways considerations associated with the scheme and the finalised details regarding fees incurred, officers respectively undertook to provide the Member in question with further information on these matters.

In addition, Members also discussed the approach nationally towards the provision of schools and school places.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That authority to spend and incurring expenditure of £5,051,606 from Capital Scheme number 33177/AGR/000 for the redevelopment and expansion of Allerton Grange School for September 2021, be approved; 

(b)  That the overall scheme costs of £7,202,806, which incorporates the existing approval of £2,151,200.80 for the bulge expansion for September 2020, be noted;

(c)  That it be noted that the expenditure for the construction of the permanent expansion works are subject to planning approval;

(d)  That it be noted that the former CLC building is in the ownership of Leeds City Council and not part of the PFI; with it also being noted that the extension to the former CLC building will be subject to a deed of variation to remove this section of the site from the PFI agreement such that the extended building remains wholly in Leeds City Council ownership. Finally, it be noted that a further deed of variation will be required for PFI approval to undertake remodelling works within the main school building; 

(e)  That the implementation of a City Council Change under the PFI contract, be approved, and that approval also be given to the entering in to of any associated documentation, including without limitation a deed of variation (as required), with the Head of Service, Learning Systems being authorised to review and approve any such documentation;

(f)  That the programme dates, as identified in section 3.2 of the submitted report, in relation to the implementation of this decision, be noted, with it also being noted that this represents the critical path for project success and must be adhered to where possible; 

(g)  That it be noted that the officer responsible for the implementation of such matters is the Head of Service Learning Systems in Children’s and Families Directorate.

A formal proposal to permanently expand the school from September 2021 was subject to a separate statutory consultation process, the final outcome of which was determined by Executive Board in June 2020.

The works required are to extend the former CLC building on the school site, and undertake internal remodelling of the main school building, to accommodate the permanent increase in pupils.

Ward member briefings will be made following agreement of the design with the school.

The school representatives have been engaged in the design process throughout.

Ward members will be briefed on the final proposals following agreement of the layout with the school leadership team.