Scope and Content
includes:
two copies of building programme:
First Instalment already built
Hall 1,500 sq ft
1 class base 660 sq ft 600 sq ft [sic]
2 class bases 600 sq ft 1,200 sq ft
3,360 sq ft
Second Instalment 120 children
3 class bases 600 sq ft minimum 1,800 sq ft
1 group room 200 sq ft minimum 200 sq ft
2,000 sq ft
Three class bases, a group room, a staff room, separate cloakroom with two toilets and washbasins for female staff, a medical room, removal of temporary toilet, external games room near to playground, two small verandahs over main entrances, perimeter fencing
Final Instament
3 class bases 600 sq ft 1,800 sq ft
1 group room 240 sq ft [sic] 280 sq ft
2,080 sq ft
with note 'increase hard paved area by 3,300 sq ft' 2 October 1970
Sketch plan showing existing building, stage 2 building outlined in red, stage 3 building outlined in green; scale 1/8" to 1'; October 1970
Sketch plan as above but without red and green outlines
Sketch plan as above; stage 2 building in brown and stage 3 building in red; it would seem that at least part of stage 3 (in green above) has been scheduled for stage 2; stamped 'approved' 20 November and 11 December 1970
Estimate of costs £23,028 plus £2,700 for incidentals; total £25,728; 12 November 1970
Estimate of costs for Heating and hot and cold water: £4,000 [a further copy later in the file has written in pen 'this has gone up £500 since I gave you price for Committee']; electricals £1,000; 16 November 1970
Memo that Harper and Hill have been appointed Quantity Surveyors for the project; 30 November 1970
Sketch design (3 copies) showing elevations; scale 1/8" to 1'; October 1970; one marked 'approved' 20 November and 11 December 1970
Final plan stage estimate is for £24,850; 29 December 1970
Location and site layout plan showing existing building and future development; scale 1/500; January 1967; stamped 'approved' as above
Report on Capital Building Projects; various projects; 20 November 1970
Another building estimate with price per square foot 120/- crossed out and replaced with 135/-; total cost now estimated at £25,728; 12 November 1970
Letter to Alderman T H Johnson asking for approval for four projects (including Dovery Down) under Regulation 11 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1969; 4 January 1971 (with copy returned and signed 'I agree to the above'; 15 January 1971)
Letter inviting tenders from:
Willis Dawson Ltd, Construction House, Grovebury Road, Leighton Buzzard
Purser & Furlong, Castle House, Stanbridge Road, Linslade
David Nott & Sons, rear 102 Icknield Road, Luton
L A H Ames Ltd, 106a Bedford Road, Wootton
J J Curran Builders Ltd, Selbourne Road, Luton
L A Thorne Ltd, Swannells Wood, Studham
works estimated to start March 1971 for a period of 10 months; estimated cost now £23,000; 4 January 1971
Reply from Purser & Furlong that due to commitments they are unable to tender but mention that their correct address is 'Castle House, Old Road, Linslade'; 5 January 1971
Only L A H Ames (6 January 1971) and Willis-Dawson Ltd (7 January 1971) say they are able to submit tenders
Letter inviting tenders and priced Bills of Quantities mentions that due date is 22 March;
to Willis Dawson Ltd; L A H Ames Ltd; Howley Contractors Ltd, 39/41 Princess Street, Luton; J J Curran Builders Ltd; 9 March 1971
Further reminder to the above mentions postal strike and 'because of Government Policy it is essential for a tender to be accepted before 31 March 1971'; 17 March 1971
Letter to Willis Dawson Ltd saying their tender was the lowest and is under consideration for acceptance; 23 March 1971
Letter to Mr J Butterworth names Principal Architect as Mr I C Hill and Job Architect as Mr W Redman; 26 March 1971
Further invitation to tender to:
Bidwell & Company Ltd, Limbury Mead Works, 333 Icknield Way, Luton
G Powell & Company, The Old Vicarage, Ridgmont
Build Form Ltd, 13 Woburn Street, Ampthill
Johnson Fuller Ltd, Luton Road, Dunstable
Connolly Construction Company Ltd, Syscon House, Sarum Road, Luton
Purser & Furlong, Castle House, Old Road, Linslade
W G Hillier & Company, 50 High Street, Markyate 20 April 1971
only Build Form Ltd (26 April 1971) and Bidwell & Company (27 April 1971) are able to submit tenders
Schedule of potential savings (to Harper & Hill) 'so that both the original bill and the bill of reductions can be priced by Contractors thus giving the option of reductions if necessary'; mentions, among other reductions:
'quit carpet and Arlon floor tiles; add Vinyl Asbestos PVC throughout'
'quit Asbestos perforated ceiling panels and Viscotex; add back plasterboard and Artex' 21 April 1971
Letter mentions Bills of Quantities 'for you to price and submit' 13 May 1971
to Bidwell & Company, S J Farrow Ltd, 295 Luton Road, Dunstable; E M Chamberlain Ltd, 13-15 Taylor Street, Luton; Build Form Ltd
Letter to Willis Dawson Ltd and L A H Ames Ltd 'because of the insufficient number of tenders received and the fact that they were above the approved cost limit it has been necessary for me to prepare a Bill of Reductions'; 13 May 1971
Memo that Build Form Ltd's tender of 16 June 1971 (originally for £26,010) has been reduced to £23,099.99, which is the contract sum. Contract period is for 26 weeks to start as soon as possible; 28 June 1971
N.B. referred to here as a 2 class extension, but probably in error as it is still referred to as a 3 class extension in later documents
List of savings gives tender figure of £24,019.49 less: Contingencies £250
Day Works £523.50
Fuel for Testing £ 30
Playground works £116
total £919.50 giving revised contract figure of £23,099.99
Letter mentions that the lowest tender received for electrical installation was for £949.75; does not mention who; 29 June 1971
Letter to Chief Education Officer from County Architect mentions there is some confusion over whether conversion of a garage block into an Arts/Crafts teaching area (as requested October 1969) is included in the total cost figure; 'the conversion of the garage block was left to the last because least was known of the extent of this work and quite clearly this would have to be assessed in some detail before we could finally be sure that there were adequate funds available'; 7 July 1971
Manuscript note mentions 2,250 sq ft of playground area has already been provided in stage 2 but requirements are for additional 1,125 sq ft to meet brief; with note at bottom 'no action on this 24/9/71; no monies available'
Memo from Chief Education Officer to County Architect regarding foot path from new block to playground as essential and encourages overspending further in order to achieve this; pencil note 'about £700 overspend already; approx £300 for footpath requested... Footpath and contingencies were cut out at tender stage to reduce cost' additional pencil note 'I have discussed with County Architect - carry out and charge to primary school 1st phase, the footpath to connect with that scheme' 26 January 1972
Memo that stage II has been taken over 14 February 1972
Various memos regarding completed works - tidying up spoil heaps (Headmaster agrees to do this), sanitary provision, locks, door closings etc., are all met with 'no money left'