Decision details

This report requests approval for the Council to enter into Deeds of Variation to the Novated GBA with Meadowhead School Academy Trust and to the PFI Contract with Academy Services ( Sheffield) Limited , the PFI Contractor, for the construction and operation of a VI  Form Extension at Meadowhead School.

The draft Deed of Variation to the Novated GBA provides, in effect, for a pass through of cost and liability from the Council to the Academy as regards the Council’s obligations to the PFI Contractor concerning the VI Form Extension facility, under the terms of the Deed of Variation to the PFI Contract.

That approval is given for the Council to enter into Deeds of Variation to the Novated GBA and to the PFI Contract on the terms outlined in this Report for the planning, construction, operation and ongoing maintenance of a VI Form Extension facility at Meadowhead School.

It is recommended that approval is given for the Council to enter into Deeds of Variation to the Novated GBA and to the PFI Contract on the terms outlined in this Report for the construction and operation of a VI Form Extension facility at Meadowhead School.

This will be to the benefit of current and future generations of VI Form students at the School and, ultimately lead to better outcomes for the City in terms of achievement and attainment. 

The only alternative options would have been a) to choose not to work in partnership with the Academy Trust through this expansion, or b) by choosing to work with the Academy Trust to accept some or all of the risks and financial liabilities involved in the construction.  Whilst the extension is therefore supported both in principle and by the   Council entering into the Deeds of Novation to the PFI Contract and Novated GBA, the funding implications of procuring, constructing and maintaining the VI Form extension mean that this support must be at no risk to the Council. Hence all capital and other liabilities are to be passed down to the Meadowhead School Academy Trust through these legal agreements.