The Director of Children’s Services reported upon progress of the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) initiative to establish practical cooking spaces in four secondary schools to support the introduction of compulsory Food Technology at Key Stage 3 from September 2011. DCSF had invited bids from authorities to fund works in schools which had no existing food technology facilities (including practical kitchens) and no access to facilities at other establishments. The authority’s bid was successful for schemes at Wirral Grammar School for Boys, Calday Grammar School, St Anselm’s College and Kilgarth School, with a total allocation of £1,245,000, which included the VAT element for St Anselm’s due to it being an Aided School. The allocation equated to an average £300,000 per school to create either new build facilities or to reconfigure existing space within the school to deliver the specialist curriculum activity, although the spend at each site would vary according to the scope of the works required to deliver the curriculum requirement.

The Director provided details of the St. Anselm’s College scheme and estimate and proposed that it would be procured as a single stage selective competitive tender during August 2009 with the selected contractor to commence work on site in September 2009 with completion anticipated in April 2010. The total estimated cost, including fees, was £400,345,000 and although an indicative allocation of £300,000 (+VAT in Aided Schools) had been given, authorities had been flexibility to retain any savings made for example on procurement savings. The Director anticipated that by using the Council’s Schedule of Rates contracts at Kilgarth School, there would be additional funding for other identified projects.

He reported also that scheme and estimate reports in relation to Wirral Grammar School for Boys and Calday Grammar School would be presented to future meetings of the Cabinet. A more modest scheme was being undertaken at Kilgarth School, which did not exceed £250,000 and would be authorised under delegated authority.

Resolved –

(1)  That, without prejudice to the planning process, the Scheme and Estimate for St Anselm’s College as presented, be approved.

(2)  That approval be given for St Anselm’s College to obtain tenders for the scheme and the Director of Children’s Services use his delegated powers, if appropriate, to accept the lowest bona fide tender and report back to a future Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

(3)  That the appointed Architect in consultation with the nominated person from CYPD be authorised to obtain all necessary statutory approvals for the scheme.

(4)  That the progress of the DCSF Initiative for Practical Cooking Spaces is noted.