Purpose

The County Council has a
statutory duty to provide sufficient primary and secondary school
places for all children who need a place. As part of the secondary
school curriculum, Physical Education is a core subject and
suitable provision is required to ensure a wide range of sport can
be offered.  The Forest School in
Horsham accommodates over 1000 pupils aged 11-16 and has a mix of
indoor PE provision (sports hall, activity hall) and external
provision (grass pitches and multi-use games area). 
 
In July 2020 the Cabinet Member
for Education and Skills approved the siting of additional
accommodation at the neighbouring Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee
School on some of the existing playing field at The Forest School
(Decision reference
ES02(20/21). In order to mitigate the impact of the loss of the
playing field an All Weather Pitch will be constructed at The
Forest School.  The All-Weather pitch
will enable pupils to undertake outside sport activities all year
round whilst also providing the school the ability to generate
additional income through letting.
 
As part of a separate key
decision process the Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills
approved the allocation of capital funding from Section 106
contributions to undertake a project to provide an All Weather
Pitch at The Forest School
(Decision LS05(21/22) refers). The Cabinet Member also
delegated authority to the then Director of Property and Assets to
award the contract for the project.
 
The Assistant Director
(Property and Assets) will be asked to approve the award of
contract for the proposed project at The Forest School.

Decision

The Assistant Director (Property and Assets)
has approved the award of the construction contract to deliver an
all-weather pitch at The Forest School, Horsham to Velocity Sports
Limited for the construction sum of £972,535.95.