Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Works and Skills.

The report provides an update on the guidance issued to Local Authorities and responsible bodies relating to the potential risks surrounding the use of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) within construction of school buildings. It also provides an update on the impact on schools in the borough and on the closure of St Thomas Church of England Primary School, Marriot Street and Bramhall High School.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note:-

a)    That the Deputy Chief Executive, as an Executive Director of the council, has taken officer decisions in consultation with the Cabinet Member with portfolio responsibility for Finance and Resources in relation to the contracts entered into to provide the services set out above in relation to the spend already incurred at both schools.

b)    That the Deputy Chief Executive, as an Executive Director of the council, take an officer decision in consultation with the Cabinet Member with portfolio responsibility for Finance and Resources (in line with the council’s scheme of delegation) in relation to the contracts for additional works and services set out above which have yet to be entered into.

c)    That an Officer Decision Record is published setting out the decision made.

Officer contact: Tim Bowman | tim.bowman@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Education, Work & Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the guidance issued to Local Authorities and responsible bodies relating to the potential risks surrounding the use of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) within construction of school buildings.  It also provided an update on the impact on the two affected schools in the borough: St Thomas Church of England Primary School, Marriot Street and Bramhall High School, including updates on actions taken and costs incurred to date.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Officers from the Council’s Estates and Asset Management team had worked tirelessly to support St Thomas Church of England Primary School and Bramhall High School since RAAC was discovered in those buildings.

·         The Department for Education had worked closely with the schools and the Council to bring about a resolution to the issues, and the inclusion of both schools in the School Rebuilding Programme was particularly welcomed.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the thanks of the Scrutiny Committee be extended to the Estates and Asset Management team and the Director of Education, Work & Skills for their work in supporting St Thomas Church of England Primary School and Bramhall High School to ensure that the education of young people at those schools was able to continue with as little disruption as possible.