Issue - meetings

To consider the authorisation of capital plan allocations to enable the construction and completion of the new build Woodley School and College.

Contact: David Martin, Corporate Landlord and Martin Wilby, Education Places and Access

Exempt Information is provided within Appendix 3 to this report.

Consideration must be given to whether the public and press should be excluded from the meeting prior to the determination of the matter to enable the exempt information to be discussed by passing the following resolution:-

To resolve that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following item of business, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

It is considered that the disclosure of the information would not be in the public interest as disclosure could adversely affect overall ability to obtain value for money, compromise the commercial confidentiality of organisations mentioned in the report, which is considered to outweigh the public interest in disclosing information including, greater accountability, transparency in spending public money, and openness in Council decision-making.

1)    That approval be given to the draw down of capital funds as detailed in Appendix 3 of this report to enable the procurement and appointment of a building contractor to construct a 180 place new build Communication & Interaction / Autism school to replace the existing Woodley School and College site at Dog Kennel Bank, Huddersfield and to facilitate the completion of this project, in line with procurement regulations and the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.

2)    That in order to manage the successful delivery of the new build Woodley School and College site at Fernside Avenue without the need to return to Cabinet should any further unexpected costs arise that exceed the approved budget as stated in Appendix 3, authority be delegated, if required, to the Service Directors for Development and for Learning and Early Support in consultation with the Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer) to use the provisions within the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules dated June 2025, specifically paragraphs 3.9 to 3.10.

3)    That authority to the Executive Director of Place to authorise the award of the contract to ensure that a construction contract can be signed for the proposed new build school and the project completed so that the required additional SEND school places can be successfully delivered.

4)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director – Legal, Governance and Commissioning to enter into any necessary legal agreements or instruments to facilitate the recommendations.

(The report included exempt information in accordance with Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, namely it contains information relating to financial and business affairs of third parties (including the Authority holding that information)).

(The report included exempt information in accordance with Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, namely that it contains information relating to financial and business affairs of third parties (including the Authority holding that information). It was considered that the disclosure of the information would not be in the public interest as disclosure could adversely affect overall ability to obtain value for money, compromise the commercial confidentiality of organisations mentioned in the report, which is considered to outweigh the public interest in disclosing information including, greater accountability, transparency in spending public money, and openness in Council decision-making).

(Under the provision of Council Procedure Rule 36(1), Cabinet received a representation from Councillors Darwan and Scott).

Cabinet gave consideration to a report which sought approval to draw down capital allocations, primarily from the Children’s and Families section of the Capital Plan, approved by Council on 16th July 2025, in order to enable the construction and completion of the new build Woodley School and College, which would expand special school provision to replace the existing school sites.

The report advised that the anticipated start on site date for the new build Woodley School and College was during Summer 2026, with completion scheduled during Autumn 2027, and that these dates aligned to the most recent report issued by Children’s Services colleagues in relation to the DfE safety valve targets/funding.

The report sought permission to draw down capital funds to enable a building contract to be awarded for the construction of the new build Woodley School and College, within the budget as set out in Appendix 3. It was noted that, subject to approval, a robust procurement exercise would take place to appoint a construction partner to deliver the new build school in line with the estimated programme stated in this report. Appendix 2 included images to illustrate what the new building and site.  

RESOLVED –

1)    That approval be given to the draw down of capital funds as detailed in Appendix 3 of this report to enable the procurement and appointment of a building contractor to construct a 180 place new build Communication & Interaction / Autism school to replace the existing Woodley School and College site at Dog Kennel Bank, Huddersfield and to facilitate the completion of this project, in line with procurement regulations and the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.

2)    That in order to manage the successful delivery of the new build Woodley School and College site at Fernside Avenue without the need to return to Cabinet should any further unexpected costs arise that exceed the approved budget as stated in Appendix 3, authority be delegated, if required, to the Service Directors for Development and for Learning and Early Support in consultation with the Service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87