URL: https://westsussex.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2442

Decision Maker: Service Director (Property and Assets) (Andrew Edwards)

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: North Mundham School is a 210 place, 7 class school for children aged 4-11 years old. The school consists of a broad range of buildings including a double modular unit which was installed more than 30 years ago and has been identified as requiring replacement due to its age and significant condition issues.   Projections indicate that the 60 pupil places currently accommodated in the modular block are required to ensure continued capacity for children of primary age in the village and wider locality.  Without pupil places West Sussex County Council will be unable to meet its statutory duties to ensure sufficient school places in this area.   In January 2025 approval was provided for the allocation of funds to replace the life expired double modular unit with two new classrooms and to carry out associated works such as landscaping (decision CYPL21(24/25) refers).   A competitive tender exercise was undertaken in Autumn 2025, resulting in a contract being awarded to undertake the project. However, this contract was terminated by WSCC in April 2026 due to the contractor’s non-performance.   Due to the increasingly dilapidated state of the modular unit, there is a risk of it being condemned and unfit for use. This means progressing the construction works in delivering replacement accommodation is becoming more urgent. Therefore, instead of undertaking a further tender exercise it is proposed to directly award the contract for the construction works to replace the modular accommodation at North Mundham Primary School to an alternative contractor.  

Content: North Mundham School is a 210 place, 7 class school for children aged 4-11 years old. The school consists of a broad range of buildings including a double modular unit which was installed more than 30 years ago and has been identified as requiring replacement due to its age and significant condition issues.   Projections indicate that the 60 pupil places currently accommodated in the modular block are required to ensure continued capacity for children of primary age in the village and wider locality.  Without pupil places West Sussex County Council will be unable to meet its statutory duties to ensure sufficient school places in this area.   In January 2025 approval was provided for the allocation of funds to replace the life expired double modular unit with two new classrooms and to carry out associated works such as landscaping (decision CYPL21(24/25) refers).   A competitive tender exercise was undertaken in Autumn 2025, resulting in a contract being awarded to undertake the project. However, this contract was terminated by WSCC in April 2026 due to the contractor’s non-performance.   Due to the increasingly dilapidated state of the modular unit, there is a risk of it being condemned and unfit for use. This means progressing the construction works in delivering replacement accommodation is becoming more urgent. Therefore, instead of undertaking a further tender exercise it is proposed to directly award the contract for the construction works to replace the modular accommodation at North Mundham Primary School to an alternative contractor.   The Service Director (Property & Assets) has approved the award of the construction contract for delivery of the project to replace the modular accommodation at North Mundham Primary School to Sunninghill Construction Co. Limited for the sum of £1,400,000.00. None declared.

Date of Decision: May 22, 2026