URL: https://ealing.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=978

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Authority to accept tender and award contract for the Villiers High School new building main works project. Authority to add funds to the capital programme.

Content: RESOLVED:   That Cabinet:   1.     Agrees that Appendix 1 is not for publication on the basis that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).   2.     Agrees to increase the existing Villiers School capital budget of £26.722m to £29.320m to reflect the total costs of the works. and notes that the additional £2.597m will be funded from grant, reserves and a contribution from the school.   3.     Agrees to award a contract to Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Limited for the Villiers High School Places construction works, funded from the revised Villiers High School works capital budget of £29.320m.   REASONS FOR DECISION AND OPTIONS CONSIDERED:   1.       The decision is required to enable the council to progress with capital works to the school.   2.       Under the council’s Constitution, Cabinet approval is required to proceed with schemes over £5m per annum in value, Portfolio Holder approval is required to proceed with schemes between £0.500m and £5m per annum, and the schemes up to £0.500m per annum fall within Director delegated powers.   3.       In September 2024, Cabinet authorised inviting and evaluating tenders, or making call offs from appropriate frameworks or dynamic purchasing systems, for the pre-construction services agreement and works contracts required for the Villiers High School Places project from the existing approved capital programme budget for Villiers High School.   4.       In September 2024, Cabinet also delegated authority to the Strategic Director, Children’s Services, to take all necessary steps to award the pre-construction services agreement and works contracts, such authority to include finalising, negotiating and entering into all relevant ancillary legal agreements.   5.       The contract has been procured through the Southern Construction Framework Agreement (SCF) - Lot 3 London. Contractor selection was by Mini Competition to provide pre-construction services on a fee basis, to then develop Contractor’s Proposals during the pre-construction period.   6.       In May 2025, the Strategic Director, Children’s Services, approved the contractor appointment for the pre-construction services agreement. The pre-construction services activities have now been completed and the Contractor’s Proposals including costs have been evaluated by the council’s Projects Delivery Unit.    7.       This decision relates to the contractor appointment for the main construction works contract at Villiers High School.   8.       A full range of options for the works required was considered. These included:    1)     Do nothing. 2)     Prolonging the timescale for replacement of the existing block with the school continuing to repair and maintain, and the council replace, systems and fabric elements. 3)     Proceeding with the replacement of the existing block with a larger block in isolation to attend to a shortfall of space against pupil numbers. 4)     Proceeding with replacement of the existing block in tandem with additional accommodation for 1 form of entry (FE) and enabling a Specialist Resourced Provision to follow.   9.       In September 2024, Cabinet approved proceeding with Option 4 and approved plans to invite and evaluate tenders, or make call offs from appropriate frameworks or dynamic purchasing systems, for the pre-construction services and works contracts required for the project.   10.    Cabinet is now recommended to award a contract to Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Limited for the works associated with Option 4.  

Date of Decision: February 11, 2026