Agenda item

Consider update report by Director Infrastructure and Environment.  (Copy attached.)

With reference to paragraph 7 of the Minute of 13 May 2021, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Director Education and Lifelong Learning seeking approval for the relocation of Galashiels Academy to a site comprising the existing Academy site and part of Scott Park following the completion of a public consultation process as set out in the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 (as amended).  The report explained that the statutory consultation in respect of a proposal to relocate Galashiels Academy had taken place between 13 March and 12 May 2023.  A proposal paper had been published and advertised detailing the Educational Benefits of the proposal and the reasons for choosing the proposed site.  Meetings were held with pupils and staff during May and a public meeting was held on 20 April 2023, where there was an opportunity to discuss the proposals, ask questions and make comments.   The Council received 127 responses to the consultation with 66% agreeing with the proposal, 29% against and 5% who were undecided.  A Consultation Report, which detailed the consultation process as well as the comments and representations made throughout the consultation process was prepared.  The Consultation Report also contained responses to the comments and representations made during the consultation process and a copy was appended to the report.  The Report was published on 6 June 2023, with the Council inviting further comments and suggestions regarding the proposal. The last date for comments was 27 June 2023 and the responses were detailed later in the report. Members welcomed the report and supported the proposed relocation.

DECISION

AGREED to approve the proposal to relocate Galashiels Academy to a site comprising the existing school site and part of the town’s Scott Park.

With reference to paragraph 7 of the Minute of 13 May 2021, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Director of Environment and Infrastructure providing an update on the progress with the new Galashiels Academy Community Campus following the statutory and procurement stages and recommending proceeding to construction.  Previous reports to Council on 17 December 2020 and 13 May 2021 provided an update on the project and on the informal engagement undertaken on the range of options for the location of the new school and external sports facilities.  The 13 May 2021 report to Council recommended that the project should proceed to the formal statutory stages.  Planning consent was granted in September 2022.  This allowed the project to proceed to detailed design and procurement.  This stage was now complete and the project was ready to proceed to construction.  The total approved budget for the Galashiels Academy project was £60.155M. Of this, costs of £5.1M had been incurred to 31 March 2023, including the Enabling Works undertaken to get the project prepared and ready for the main construction.  The Director highlighted the impact of construction inflation and following the tender returns, the project team and main contractor Morrison Construction had been working to minimise the over budget position.  This work was ongoing with a target date for reaching contract close soon and to allow for this, it was recommended that Officers were given delegated authority to reach a final contract sum within an overall budget maximum of £64.5M.  Members agreed to approve the proposed funding increase to allow construction to commence at an early date.

DECISION

AGREED to:-

(a)       note the progress of the project through the statutory planning stage and the completion of the detailed design and procurement stage; 

(b)       note the current budget position that, as a result of the procurement stage, was £4.345M above budget;

(c)       delegate authority to the Director Infrastructure & Environment, in conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer, to conclude the contract with Hub South East Scotland Ltd at a project budget no greater than £64.5M allowing the project to proceed to construction; and

(d)       receive update reports as the project proceeded.