Purpose

To seek Cabinet approval to
draw down funding from the Children’s and Families, Learning
and Support sections of the Capital Plan to enable the rebuild of
Woodley School and College to progress on the former school site on
Fernside Road, Almondbury.
 
There is continued engagement
with the senior leadership teams at Woodley School and
College. 
  
Senior managers regularly
engage with PCAN (Parents of Children with Additional Needs). PCAN
is the parent-led forum for all parents and carers of children and
young people (aged 0-25 years) with additional needs in
Kirklees. 
 
 

Content

 

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.