Purpose

To approve funding for additional works
required to deliver the expansion of Aylestone School

Decision

a)   
The spend of £495,000 of Basic Need Grant
be approved to deliver the additional highways-related works
required as part of the Aylestone School expansion;
and
b)   
Authority be delegated to the Service Director
for Education, Skills and Learning, to take all operational
decisions necessary to complete these works.
 

Alternative options considered

1.             
Do nothing - Not delivering the required access
improvements would leave the scheme unable to satisfy Highways
requirements. The Local Highway Authority has been clear that
without a formalised internal loop and drop-off/pick-up area, the
proposal presents an unacceptable highway safety risk and could not
be supported. This option would therefore jeopardise planning
consent and prevent the school expansion from proceeding.
This option is rejected.
2.             
Fund works from within the existing project budget -
Absorbing £495,000 of unplanned highways works would require
removing key educational accommodation from the main scheme,
undermining the project objectives and the original
Cabinet approval
in February 2023. This
option is not viable.
3.             
Request that the school contributes to costs -
Schools do not hold capital balances capable of meeting costs of
this scale for statutory highways mitigation.
This option is not viable.