Minutes for Cabinet meeting, Dec 2 2008, 7.15PM official page

The report presented proposals for the establishment of a Children’s Centre at Gearies Infants School. A report was presented to Cabinet on 20^th February 2007 giving details of the Government’s 10 year Childcare Strategy and proposals for establishing a number of Children’s Centres in Redbridge. Children’s Centres would play a central role in delivering improved outcomes for all young children and in reducing inequalities between the most disadvantaged children and the rest.  They were at the heart of the Government’s “Every Child Matters: Change for Children Programme”.

The Department split the Children’s Centre programme into three phases for Children, Schools and Families’ (DCSF) Sure Start Unit. In Phase 1 (2004-2006) four Children’s Centres were established in Redbridge. In Phase 2 (2006-2008) Redbridge was developing an additional 10 Children’s Centres.  Phase 2 had been slipped nationally for one year to extend the completion of Phase 2 Children’s Centres.   A further 8 were to be established in Phase 3 (2008-2010).

The report also presented the outline scheme and estimate for the proposed children’s centre. It sought approval to apply the budget for this scheme as required by Standing Order 125.

Resolved: That we  (i) agree to the establishment of a Children’s Centre at Gearies Infants School;

(ii) agree the outline scheme for the proposed Children’s Centre at Gearies Infants School as further described in Appendix A and shown in Appendix B to the report;

(iii) agree the outline estimate in the sum of £677,628 for the proposed Children’s Centre at Gearies Infants School as further described in Appendix A and shown in Appendix B to the report; and

(iv) authorise the Chief Property Manager to proceed with the detailed design and to procure the necessary works in accordance with Standing Orders.

The report detailed how at its meeting on 2^nd October 2007, Cabinet agreed that the Stage One contract for construction of the Loxford Building Schools for the Future One School Pathfinder (BSF OSP) project should be awarded to Willmott Dixon Limited.

At its meeting on 15^th April 2008, Cabinet agreed that the Stage Two contract for construction of the Loxford Building Schools for the Future One School Pathfinder (BSF OSP) project would also be awarded to Willmott Dixon Limited.

These awards excluded the provision of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), associated services and the provision of fixed furniture and equipment (FF&E) which was the subject of a separate procurement.

This report provided Members with an update on the current position in relation to the main building contract and the associated budgetary position. It also advised Members of the risks that the project was running and the contingency arrangements that were in place.