Decision details

The Special Education Needs Team within Education and Skills has identified a need to provide additional accommodation at Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Special School (QE2) in Horsham to provide for the 105 pupils currently on roll. Over recent years additional pupils have been accommodated by the school but without the supporting investment in accommodation. Pupil numbers have increased from 85 in 2017 to 105 in 2019.

In July 2020 the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills approved the allocation of £1.4m to fund the provision of a three-class modular teaching block with ancillary accommodation to ensure the school can offer suitable facilities for the 105 pupils currently on roll (decision ES02(20/21) refers). Due to an increase in construction costs through the procurement process it was determined that an increased budget would be required for the project.  Therefore, a change request was submitted in August 2021 for £224,000, providing a total budget of £1.624m. Approval is now sought to award the contract for carrying out the works.

The proposal was published in the Forward Plan on 9 March 2022; however the decision is now urgent as it is necessary to enable the project to commence without additional delay or cost increase.  Following a compliant procurement process in 2021, it was not possible, for reasons beyond the Council’s control, to award the contract to the successful bidder from that tender process Report Ref:OKD05 21/22  due to materials and resources shortages caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.  The delay caused to the programme, as a result means that this decision to award the contract to Portakabin Limited is urgent; the modular buildings need to be constructed and installed at the school ready for the new academic year starting on 2nd September 2022.  Due to the need for this decision to be determined as soon as possible the Assistant Director (Property and Assets), with agreement from the Director of Law & Assurance and the Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Committee, will use his delegated powers under Standing Order 5.23 to take this decision without the required 28 days’ notice in the Forward Plan.  

The Assistant Director (Property and Assets) has approved the award of contract for the installation of a three-classroom modular block at Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee School, Horsham for the sum of £1,358,950 to Portakabin Limited.

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