Purpose

In 2021 the award of a construction contract
to rebuild Woodlands Meed College in Burgess Hill was
approved under decision OKD28(21/22) The construction proceeded
but, in September 2024, the appointed contractor (ISG Ltd) went
into administration.  The delivery works
were in two phases.  Phase 1
(construction of the new College) was largely completed apart from
some snagging work. Phase 2 (demolition of the old building and
construction of an all-weather pitch and car park) was at an early
stage of delivery.
 
To complete both phases of the project an
alternative contractor needs to be appointed. This will require an
increase to the funds originally allocated to this
project. 
 
An assessment of the additional costs required
to complete delivery of the remaining works has ascertained that a
further £1.946m funding will need to be allocated to the
project.  In addition a contractor has
been identified who could undertake completion of the project.
 
Due to the need for this matter to be
determined as soon as possible the decision maker has secured
agreement from the Chairman of the Children and Young
People’s Services Scrutiny Committee for this decision to be
taken urgently (under Part 4, Section 1, Standing Order 3.54 of the
County Council’s Constitution) and come into effect
immediately because delay would prejudice the County
Council’s interests. The reason for urgency is due to the
fact the contractor needs to be appointed in mid February to
provide sufficient time for the works to be undertaken and enable
delivery of the project by August 2025.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Learning and
Skills has approved:

(1) The allocation of
£1.946m from the Capital Improvement Fund to enable
completion of the new Woodlands Meed College, delivery of the
all-weather pitch and external works as set out in paragraph 2.6 of
the report. This increase would bring the total budget for this
project to £23.606m.

(2) The award of the
construction contract to deliver the works at Woodlands Meed
College to Sunninghill Construction Ltd.