Agenda item

This report seeks Cabinet approval for use of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funding to deliver a new build primary school and enhancements to the South Kilburn Open Space as social infrastructure projects within the South Kilburn Regeneration Programme.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)        To approve the use of £12.9m of SCIL funding, for the construction of a 1 FE primary school with a nursery and the infrastructure to expand to a 2FE school (including decanting of Carlton Vale Infant school to Kilburn Park Junior school and the associated building works), as part of South Kilburn Regeneration Programme.

(2)        To approve the use of £4.4 m of SCIL funding, for the enhancement of the South Kilburn Open Space, as part of the South Kilburn Regeneration Programme.

(3)        To delegate authority to the Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration Planning and Growth to approve the most appropriate procurement process and to approve pre-tender considerations as set out in Contract Standing Order 89 in respect of the procurement of contractors for the development of the new school and improvements to the open space.

(4)        To approve inviting tenders in respect of the procurement of contractors for the development of the new school and improvements to the open space in accordance with Contract Standing Order 88.

(5)        To approve officers evaluating tenders because of the pre-tender considerations referred to in recommendation (3) above.

(6)        To delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Neighbourhoods and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet member for Regeneration Planning and Growth, to take all necessary steps to acquire the land at Kilburn Park Junior school for the regeneration of South Kilburn, and thereafter pursue Secretary of State approval to dispose education land for non-educational uses.

(7)        To note that consultants required for design development and procurement of the contractor(s), will be procured using powers delegated to officers under the Constitution.

(8)        To note the indicative time scales, next steps and key risks associated with the delivery of the school and improvements to the open space.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 16 December 24

Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration, Planning & Growth) introduced a report which set out proposals for the use of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funding to deliver a new build primary school and enhancements to the South Kilburn Open Space as social infrastructure projects within the South Kilburn Regeneration Programme.

In presenting the report, Cabinet noted the way in which the proposals had been designed to reflect the Council’s ongoing commitment to deliver a programme of meaningful and long-lasting change within the South Kilburn area as well as utilising SCIL as a means of supporting schemes that would benefit both current and future residents.  In outlining the detailed nature of the proposals, Cabinet was advised these would involve a new build primary school, future-proofed to be capable of expanding from a 1 Form Entry to a 2 Form Entry school, alongside enhancements to the South Kilburn Open Space which would enhance green infrastructure and promote the physical and mental well-being of residents.  The proposals had been developed to align with the Council’s strategic objectives outlined in the Borough Plan, Brent Local Plan, the South Kilburn Masterplan, and the Infrastructure Delivery Plan addressing current deficiencies while anticipating future demands and delivering high-quality educational facilities and green infrastructure that would ensure long-term community stability and growth recognising South Kilburn as a strategic priority area for driving transformational change and regeneration.

In welcoming the proposals, the opportunity was taken to highlight the way in which development of the new build primary school had been designed to align with the Brent School Place Planning Strategy 2024-28 focussed around the sufficiency and sustainability of school places and to commend the work undertaken (as part of this process) involving the amalgamation of the existing two local schools (Carlton Vale Infant School and Kilburn Park Junior School) in order to progress delivery of the new build school proposal.  Subject to approval of the necessary SCIL funding, members noted the indicative timescales for the school and open space delivery programme.

Having considered the report and recognised the positive nature of the outcomes that it was anticipated would be delivered for the benefit of young people and the wider local community as a result of the proposals identified, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)        To approve the use of £12.9m of SCIL funding, for the construction of a 1 FE primary school with a nursery and the infrastructure to expand to a 2FE school (including decanting of Carlton Vale Infant school to Kilburn Park Junior school and the associated building works), as part of South Kilburn Regeneration Programme.

(2)        To approve the use of £4.4 m of SCIL funding, for the enhancement of the South Kilburn Open Space, as part of the South Kilburn Regeneration Programme.

(3)        To delegate authority to the Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration Planning and Growth to approve the most appropriate procurement process and to approve pre-tender considerations as set out in Contract Standing Order 89 in respect of the procurement of contractors for the development of the new school and improvements to the open space.

(4)        To approve inviting tenders in respect of the procurement of contractors for the development of the new school and improvements to the open space in accordance with Contract Standing Order 88.

(5)        To approve officers evaluating tenders on the basis of the pre-tender considerations referred to in (3) above.

(6)        To delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Neighbourhoods and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration Planning and Growth, to take all necessary steps to acquire the land at Kilburn Park Junior school for the regeneration of South Kilburn, and thereafter pursue Secretary of State approval to dispose education land for non-educational uses.

(7)        To note that consultants required for design development and procurement of the contractor(s), will be procured using powers delegated to officers under the Constitution.

(8)        To note the indicative time scales, next steps and key risks associated with the delivery of the school and improvements to the open space.