To approve the business case for a new permanent building at Marlbrook Primary School to accommodate the additional pupils admitted from 2014 in response to rising numbers in South Hereford and to meet parental preference, and to agree the procurement approach to deliver the required works.

The cabinet member young people and children’s wellbeing introduced the item. She noted that Marlbrook Primary School was a popular choice with parents and was rated outstanding by Ofsted. The proposed investment would benefit all of the children who would attend the school in future.

The director for children’s wellbeing explained that the proposed expansion formed part of the schools capital investment strategy and would provide new permanent accommodation. As Marlbrook was a Teaching School, others would also benefit from the additional facilities.

The interim education and capital manager summarised the report. The school had been expanding for a number of years and was popular and heavily oversubscribed. There was a need for additional primary school places in the south wye area. Previous expansion had been accommodated in modular buildings, the current proposal would provide permanent accommodation for the whole school. The design would be to the standard specified in national guidance and architects had worked closely with the school. Cabinet had approved works to convert the Greencroft building on the school site on 18 January 2018 and this would form an initial phase of construction. The school was on a large site and even with the additional buildings there would be ample space both inside and outside the building.

In discussion of the item the following key points were noted:

·         there were strong reasons to expand the school, which was rated outstanding, popular with parents and served some of the most deprived areas in the country;

·         there was support for the expansion in the local community but also concern regarding the traffic congestion and parking issues in the streets surrounding the school;

·         the additional parking area planned for the school would be used as part of a package of measures to encourage use of sustainable methods of transport and to improve road safety in adjacent streets at peak times;

·         the new building for Colwall Primary School had been delivered using a close relationship between the designer and builder, the construction costs were accurately estimated, the project was delivered on time and, with costs being finalised as the project came to an end, almost on budget;

·         the proposed process for delivery of the Marlbrook expansion was use of a framework in place for the west midlands, the relationship between the designer and builder would be a close one, an outline design was already in place and had been discussed thoroughly with the school;

·         the local member, who was a member of the cabinet, would not support the expansion of the school without additional parking to alleviate congestion for local residents;

·         the new building would be designed with sustainability in mind with incorporation of renewable energy generation where possible;

·         planning permission would be sought and it was anticipated that it would come before the planning committee in due course.

Group leaders were invited to give the views of their group.

The leader of the Independent group commented that two Independent members with wards local to the school supported the proposal.

The leader of the Its Our County group stated that his group supported the expansion of the school but not the provision of additional parking spaces as the school did not yet have an adopted travel plan, had access to existing walking and cycling routes and there was planned investment in further sustainable travel measures in the south wye area.

The leader of the Liberal Democrat group stated that his group were broadly in support of the proposal and that it was not viable not to have some parking for staff and parents.

Resolved that:

That:

(a)  Planning permission be sought for the permanent expansion of Marlbrook Primary School;

(b)  Subject to securing planning consent, an extension to Marlbrook Primary School to enable its permanent expansion from two forms of entry (60 pupils per year group) to three forms of entry (90 pupils per year group) and provision of additional car parking and associated works to fulfil planning and transport requirements, be approved at a cost of not more than £4,688,500;

(c)  a design and build contract is procured from one contractor to deliver the works; and

(d)  the director for children’s wellbeing be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the above recommendations within the agreed budget, including the process to procure and thereafter appoint a contractor who will deliver a design and build solution.