Agenda item

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided an update on the progress of the Replacement Riverbank Primary School.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the current on-going work leading to completion of the construction of the Replacement Riverbank Primary School in Summer 2024;

(b)      note that following the retender exercise the total development budget saving is estimated as circa £6 million; and

(c)      note that Council Officers will engage with stakeholders at key project milestones as detailed in the report.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Greig moved:-

that the Committee –

(1)      approve the recommendations;

(2)      note the current on-going work leading to completion of the construction of the replacement Riverbank Primary School and thanks the Chief Officer - Capital and his team for their work in progressing the project;

(3)      note the reappointment of Robertson Construction with a contract sum circa £24.8 million;

(4)      note the milestones that have been tabled within the report and also notes the significant planning and preparation that will be involved in the decant to the new school and that the school community needs firm clarity on when the construction will conclude;

(5)      agree therefore to affirm its commitment to opening the new Riverbank Primary in time for occupation in Summer 2024 and if the Chief Officer - Capital considers any delay to be so significant that it will affect the target opening, he will notify members of the Committee, the school headteacher, the parent council and group leaders;  

(6)      note that Council Officers will engage with stakeholders at key project milestones as detailed in the report and notes a recent meeting of the Riverbank Parent Council and council officers led to a number of suggestions being made; and

(7)      instruct the Chief Officer – Capital to present the engagement plan to the parent council, seeking their input and approval to ensure that engagement will be meaningful, proactive and meet their needs and expectations.

Councillor Grant, seconded by Councillor Macdonald, moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee –

(1)      note the current on-going work leading to completion of the construction of the replacement Riverbank Primary School and thanks the Chief Officer - Capital and his team for their work in progressing the project;

(2)      note the reappointment of Robertson Construction with a contract sum circa £24.8 million;

(3)      note the milestones that have been tabled within the report and also notes the significant planning and preparation that will be involved in the decant to the new school and that the school community needs firm clarity on when the construction will conclude;

(4)      agree therefore to affirm its commitment to opening the new Riverbank Primary in time for occupation in August 2024 and if the Chief Officer - Capital considers any delay to be so significant that it will affect the target opening, he will notify members of the Committee, the school headteacher, the parent council and group leaders;  

(5)      note that Council Officers will engage with stakeholders at key project milestones as detailed in the report and notes a recent meeting of the Riverbank Parent Council and council officers led to a number of suggestions being made; and

(6)      instruct the Chief Officer – Capital to present the engagement plan to the parent council, seeking their input and approval to ensure that engagement will be meaningful, proactive and meet their needs and expectations.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (8) – the Convener and Councillors Bouse, Cooke, Fairfull, Greig, Nicoll, Radley and van Sweeden; for the amendment (5) – Councillors Bonsell, Farquhar, Grant, Houghton and Macdonald.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to approve the motion; and

(ii)       instruct the Chief Officer – Capital to circulate an exempt Service Update on the current position of the project regarding the recent procurement process,  identifying areas where significant cost savings were made, and the reasons likely attributed to how they came about.