ALMOST £12 million of extra funding is needed to complete the construction of Caldicot and Monmouth Comprehensive Schools in their current designs, a report claims.

Monmouthshire County Councillors will discuss the findings on Thursday (20th October), and decide on whether to approve the extra funding for the ‘Future Schools’ project.

The report claims the funding gap is a result of an undervaluing of original designs by the contractor, and an addition of more than £11 million in ‘abnormal’ costs during construction.

According to a Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) spokesperson, abnormalities at the Caldicot School site included temporary accommodation required during construction, upgrading existing site infrastructure, and piled foundations to suit soft ground conditions.

The Welsh Government would provide 50 per cent of the additional funding if approved, leaving Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) to fund £5.95 million. The report cites the proposed increase in budget for Caldicot School from £34.9 million to £40.175 million, and Monmouth School from £41.049 million to £47.674 million.

It is thought that without the extra funding, Monmouth Comprehensive School would require a full re-design, including an increased level of refurbishment of existing buildings, adding around 12 months on to the current building programme. It was concluded that no part of the old Caldicot School building could be retained in order to reduce the cost of a new build.

The figure of the additional £11.9 million needed was reached after a cost-saving exercise in which the design of the schools were reviewed. A review of Caldicot school resulted in re-tendering of key sections including the steel frame, and a ‘de-scoping’ of the external works to save on cost.

The report proposes the planned swimming pool in Monmouth school’s Phoenix Building to be instead sited within Monmouth Leisure Centre.

As a consequence, any new pool will require further investment from council resources, as funding from the future schools programme will no longer be available towards the revised leisure proposal.

Chair of Caldicot School governing body Peter Nurcombe said: “As in all major construction projects that span several years, essential additional costs often accrue. Caldicot School is fully supportive of the steps MCC is taking to make sure that the new school is completed to the highest standard.”

The report suggests giving Cabinet Member for Resources Phil Murphy the authority to determine the best way of funding the council’s £5.95 million contribution. Options outlined in the report include borrowing the amount and the release of additional council-owned assets.

The loan is proposed to be repaid with annualised contributions from Caldicot and Monmouth School budgets to cover repayment. It is believed the significant energy efficiency improvements and elimination of the need for building maintenance in the new school builds will allow for these contributions.

Councillor Liz Hacket Pain, Monmouthshire’s cabinet member for schools and learning said: “There is a funding gap to fill but we have the wherewithal to achieve this and some time to play with. The Welsh Government has recognised the robust approach we have taken to managing this programme and is funding 50 per cent of the gap.

“I expect this confidence to be matched by the council. With over 85 per cent of contract value awarded to firms within 40 miles and 70 per cent of the workforce living in Wales, this is a very significant economic programme for South East Wales and an important vote of confidence in the local economy.”