Resolved – That the Director of Regeneration and Place has agreed to approve that Lyjon Construction Ltd be awarded the contract for an estimated 18-week period to undertake internal refurbishment works at the former Kingsway Academy within approved budget and in accordance with the lowest fixed priced criteria. 

A detailed Specification, Schedule of Works and drawings were issued In January 2023 and a tender exercise was undertaken. Four bids were received. The bids were scored on a fixed price basis with Lyjon Company Ltd submitting the lowest price tender.

The award of this contract is being made on lowest tender basis. The Council’s Contract Procedure Rules (Standing Orders) set out how contracts are to be awarded by the Council in accordance with the Procurement Strategy requirements.

The award will be underpinned by a formal contract which will be drawn up by the Council’s legal team

Retain the former Kingsway Academy as a “mothballed” building; this would still require the Authority to pay a significant annual unitary charge as per the PFI contract agreement until 2031.

Invest in the current Clare Mount School which has significant building issues; the schools’ roofs are prone to leaks which would be an ongoing issue if the school remained at this site, windows are single glazed leading to inflated energy costs, and many sections of the building require urgent replacement. Flooding has been an issue historically due to the low water table in the area. The estimated backlog maintenance is more than £1m.

Realign the allocation of SEND pupils across several Wirral schools, this option would create additional capital outlay and was affirmed that this option would not meet the needs of pupils who would be best supported by specialist staff at Clare Mount.