Issue - meetings

Councillor Kam Kaur (Portfolio Holder for Education) introduced this comprehensive report relating to a project at Kingsway Community Primary School in Leamington Spa, which was being funded from a combination of DfE grant, Capital Investment Fund and Capital Inflation Contingency Fund, and moved the recommendations as set out in the report. 

Councillor Peter Butlin (Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property)  seconded the recommendation and reserved the right to speak.

Debate

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers lamented that the DfE had declined to contribute additional funds to the project after costs had increased and considered that in the circumstances it was appropriate for the Council to allocate the funding for the scheme to continue. 

Councillor Judy Falp supported the Council’s allocation of funding to the project and welcomed the improvements at the school.

Councillor Butlin noted that the DfE had failed to recognise the impact of inflation and other pressures on the project costs but that the Council recognised the need to support improvement at the school and were therefore proposing to support the additional expenditure.

Vote

A vote on the motion took place which was carried unanimously.

Resolved

That Council agrees £2.633 million be added to the capital programme to deliver the scheme at Kingsway Community Primary School.

This report sets out a proposed addition to the Education Capital Programme 2023-24 in relation to Kingsway Community Primary School.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Councillor Kam Kaur

Councillor Kam Kaur, Portfolio Holder for Education, explained that this report detailed a project at Kingsway Community Primary School where costs had significantly increased due to the impact of inflation.  She noted the background to the project, set out in the report, which was due to the forced academisation of the school.

Councillor Judy Falp supported the much needed works at the school.

Resolved:

That Cabinet

1.         Recommends to Council that £2.633 million be added to the capital programme to deliver the scheme at Kingsway Community Primary School; and

2.         Subject to Council’s approval of the required addition to the Capital Programme, authorises the Executive Director for People, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, to enter into the appropriate contractual arrangements for the delivery of the scheme; and to make the necessary funding arrangements, all on terms and conditions considered acceptable to the Executive Director for Resources.