To approve the rebuilding of Peterchurch Primary School on its existing site.

The cabinet member children and families introduced the report and summarised the background to the project. It was noted that funding was challenging and a consequence was the proposal not to refurbish the swimming pool. The new build would leave space on the site and time was allowed for the school and wider community to put together a business case to support the building and running of a replacement pool. It was a priority to make the building highly efficient and the inclusion of a nurture hub would provide emotional support and encouragement to children.

The cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets thanked officers for their work and councillors who had contributed to the project.

Cabinet members discussed the report and welcomed the development. The reasons for not replacing the pool were understood and the opportunities for a community led replacement were highlighted.

Group leaders gave the comments of their groups. The rebuild of the school was widely supported. In response to queries raised it was noted that:

·       Passivhaus was the minimum standard aimed for in the design, BREAM was not being used as the standard as it was not as effective in ensuring thermal efficiency and there was a charge for gaining the official BREAM certification;

·       Schools no longer paid business rates to the council as direct payments were made to billing authorities by the Education and Skills Funding Agency on behalf of the Department for Education;

·       It would be useful to understand why the project had taken so long to get to this point and what lessons could be learnt.

It was unanimously resolved that:

a)             Planning permission be sought for the rebuild of Peterchurch Primary School on its current site;

b)             Subject to securing planning consent, the rebuild of Peterchurch Primary School, at a capacity of 140 pupils plus 26 nursery places, and to include provision of a nurture hub be approved within a budget of £10.853m including fees and contingency;

c)             A period of 12 months is allowed for the school and Parish Council to seek a viable arrangement to fund and maintain a new replacement swimming pool, with delegated authority given to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with Corporate Director, Children and Young People and Cabinet Members for Commissioning, Procurement and Assets and Children’s and Family Services, and Young People’s Attainment, to consider and decide any business case put forward;

d)             In the absence of a viable business case in recommendation (c), the demolition and making good of the swimming pool site be approved within the budget;

e)             Delegated responsibility for award of procured contracts for the lifecycle of the project, is given to the Corporate Director, Children and Young People; and

f)               The Service Director, Education, Skills and Learning, be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the above.