The cost of building a new home for a Cowbridge primary school has risen by more than £4 million.
Vale of Glamorgan Council's cabinet has agreed to take the expansion of Ysgol Iolo Morgannwg in Cowbridge to the next stage and to increase the project and programme costs by a further £4.25m, taking the total budget to £22.31m.
From February to April 2023, the council consulted on proposals to expand the Welsh-medium school from 210 places to 420 primary places with space for 96 part-time nursery places from September 2025.
In December 2023, the Welsh Government approved the rolling strategic outline programme for the Sustainable Communities for Learning, which included Ysgol Iolo Morganwg.
In November last year, the council invited tenders for construction work, which was expected to cost £15 million, based on site conditions and the then current market.
The total budget approved unde the capital programme is £18.05m - or £20.55m, including the Claire Gardens land provided through Section 106 funding.
Last April, the cabinet authorised emergency powers to accept the competitive tender for the construction of Ysgol Iolo Morganwg and appointment of the successful contractor, Kier Construction.
The council received approval from the Welsh Government in September to proceed on the outline business case including the abnormal costs.
Kier have since provided further details on the costs and detail of work packages that will need to be carried out as part of the scheme,
totalling an additional £1.17m.
They have also identified a total of £2.17m for project abnormal costs, reflecting site-specific requirements that fall outside standard construction allowances.
These abnormal costs include measures such as heavy protection and piling, which are needed to deal with underlying ground conditions, enhanced storm drainage infrastructure to meet SAB (Sustainable Drainage Approval Body) requirements, the incorporation of raingardens as part of the sustainable drainage strategy and extensive cut and fill earthworks to achieve suitable site levels.
Last month, the contractor provided the second stage proposal for contract which includes the costs for all the work packages under the project.
The cabinet report said that the Sustainable Communities for Learning project team have worked closely with AECOM and contractors to carry out the checks and balances as part of a two-stage process, including assessment of market rates.
The contractor went out to market and the “not to exceed” figure exceeded the budget, totalling £20.75m.
Within Kier's submitted construction costs, approximately £180,000 in potential savings have been identified and these will be explored in greater detail during the next stage of the project, the report said.
It adds the main increases are as a result of the site conditions, wider market conditions, an increase in GIFA (gross internal floor area) and abnormal costs.
The capital funding currently allocated for Ysgol Iolo Morganwg is £20.55m and this is included in Vale Council's capital rolling programme.
Speaking about the increase in cost, Cllr Rhiannon Birch, the cabinet member for education and the Welsh language, said that costs have risen over the last few years for the usual range of reasons such as materials, labour and supplies.
Council leader Lis Burnett said as much as the current building on Broadway is much loved within Cowbridge, being able to provide a new modern and expanded facility will be absolutely super for them.
The post contract service works will conclude in the New Year and the cabinet has given its approval to proceed with the stage two contract with Kier.
It also approved an increase on the project and programme costs, to allow the council to submit the full business case to Welsh Government by January 7th.
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