90

Contact: Contact: Bob Eardley, Strategic Planning Manager, 01962 846275

1 Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

1. That the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services be asked to prepare costed feasibility studies on the projects listed in Appendix 1, with a view to possible inclusion in the Education capital programme for 2003/04.

2. That a Stage One bid to the National Lottery Fund for provision of comprehensive sporting and community facilities at Staunton Park Community School, Havant be approved, using £109,000 of minor works provision.

3. That approval be given to the advance funding of a replacement sports hall, estimated at £450,000, repayable with interest over a period of ten years by the governing body of Cams Hill Secondary School, Fareham.

4. That approval be given for the siting of temporary classroom accommodation at the following school sites:

Elvetham Heath Primary School, Fleet - one double unit and one single unit

Sharps Copse Primary School, Havant - one double unit.

5. That approval be given for the continued siting of temporary classroom accommodation at the following school sites:

Bay House School, Gosport - two double units

Beech Down Primary School, Basingstoke - three double units and one single unit

Crofton Anne Dale Junior School, Fareham - one single unit

Droxford Junior School - two single units

Grange Infant School, Gosport - one single unit

Greatham Primary School - one double unit

Hatch Warren Junior School, Basingstoke - one double unit

Henry Beaufort School, Winchester - one double unit and one single unit

Marchwood Junior School - one double unit

Meonstoke CE (C) Infant School - one single unit

Netley Marsh CE (C ) Infant School - one double unit

St Bede CE (C) Primary School, Winchester - 14 double units and one single unit

St Francis School, Fareham - one single unit

Saxon Wood School, Basingstoke - one single unit

Wellow Primary School - two single units

Whitedown School, Alton - one single unit

Winton School, Andover - one double unit

6. That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member, Policy and Resources, that the applications for the temporary classroom accommodation listed in recommendations three and four approved until 31 August 2006, except for Grange Infant School, Gosport which should be until 31 August 2004.

2 Reason

2.1 To approve variations to the Education capital programme.

3 Other options considered and rejected - not applicable.

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer consulted - not applicable.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - not applicable.

6 Reasons for the matter being dealt with if urgent - not applicable.

Approved by Date of decision

Councillor D Allen

Contact: Bob Eardley, Strategic Planning Manager, 01962 846275

1 Summary

1.1 This report recommends the addition of schemes utilising New Deal for Schools Modernisation funding to the 2003/04 Education capital programme, following approval of an overall funding allocation strategy on 22 March 2002.

2 New Deal for Schools Modernisation Fund

2.1 The New Deal for Schools Modernisation Fund is intended to provide resources to meet the cost of major improvements to the suitability of schools' accommodation. A programme totalling £2.845m for the current financial year was approved on 23 March 2002 and the following outline funding strategy for 2003/04 was agreed on the same date.

Activity	£m
Temporary classroom replacements	3.00
Provision of primary school halls	1.50
Provision of primary school libraries and ICT facilities	1.10
Provision of primary school music/drama accommodation	1.10
Improvements to primary school playing fields	0.40
Secondary school science refurbishment	1.30
Secondary school design and technology improvements	1.00
Secondary school food technology improvements	1.00
Improvements to specialist teaching facilities in special schools	1.50
Early years/foundation stage initiatives	0.65
Capital value of Tankerville School, Eastleigh	0.40
Education Support Centre improvements	0.50
Contingency	0.77
Total	14.22

2.2 Officers have been reviewing requirements for improvement schemes revealed by the detailed analysis of schools' accommodation carried out as part of the development of Asset Management Plans. From that analysis, a range of projects in primary and special schools has been identified which meet the priority criteria in the Asset Management Plan Local Policy Statement and Statement of Priorities. These are set out in detail in Appendix 1. Work is continuing to finalise secondary projects and these will be reported in July.

2.3 In the context of the increasing amounts of devolved capital being made available to schools, the Modernisation programme focuses in the main on larger schemes addressing, where appropriate, a range of deficiencies, or major investment, such as temporary classroom replacement, or the comprehensive refurbishment of facilities such as science laboratories. The amount of devolved capital available to schools in the current financial year is £7.6m (with a further increase to be announced following the recent Budget Statement) and £12.7m in 2003/04. In addition to enabling schools to fund improvements from their own resources, this funding will also be available to contribute to the cost of NDS Modernisation projects, thereby allowing more schools to benefit from the funding available.

Primary schools

2.4 The allocations to primary schools total £7.1m; the largest are for the replacement of poor quality temporary buildings and the provision of halls. This reflects the high priority given to the continued reduction in the number of temporary classrooms and the difficulties faced by primary schools in delivering the full curriculum without a hall.

2.5 Temporary classroom replacements have been prioritised, as in the past, on the basis of building condition, with those in very poor condition being recommended for inclusion in the programme. To take account of the priority given in the AMP Statement of Priorities to providing specialist teaching accommodation in primary schools and to take advantage of the economies to be derived from carrying out several elements of work simultaneously, the proposed programme includes all work of this type required at schools with temporary classrooms in poor condition. Detailed design and costings are now required to determine how much of this work can be paid for from the available resources. It is proposed to carry this out over the summer and to report again in the autumn with a detailed programme for 2003/04 and reserve schemes for the following year. When identifying schools for potential inclusion in the temporary classroom replacement programme, officers have reviewed current and forecast pupil numbers to ensure that the provision of permanent accommodation is justified.

2.6 There are 20 primary schools without their own halls. Some make use of local hired facilities, while others have sites which are too small to allow a hall to be built. In drawing up a priority list of schemes, these factors have been taken into account and three schools have been identified for inclusion. As with temporary classroom replacements, the opportunity is being taken to include work to address specialist accommodation shortfalls at the same time. Again, a further report will be brought forward once firm costings are available.

Playing field drainage

2.7 A number of primary schools across the county have severe problems with the drainage of their playing fields, which require capital investment to rectify. Although these schemes were considered for inclusion in the recent New Opportunities Fund bid, they do not fit the criterion of achieving a significant improvement in sporting provision. They are, nevertheless significant in curriculum terms, as playing fields at affected schools are often out of use. It is recommended therefore, that work is carried out at the schools listed in Appendix 1 using the £400,000 allocated for this purpose.

Secondary schools

2.8 Work is in hand to identify priority schemes for refurbishment of science, design and technology and food technology accommodation. Resources for this work total £3.3m. A list of potential schemes has been drawn up and is currently being checked with schools, who are also being contacted to determine their capacity to contribute funding from their devolved capital. In drawing up the priority list, attention will be paid to the potential for using NDS Modernisation funding in conjunction with basic need allocations, where improvements such as resuiting and refurbishment are planned. This should help to reduce the calls on the capital programme contingency. It is proposed to present a detailed list of schemes for approval in July, when this work will have been completed. As these projects are designed in the main around generic briefs, a shorter lead-in time is feasible.

Special schools

2.9 There is funding of £1.5m for the provision/improvement of specialist accommodation in special schools. Special school projects are costly to carry out and the most cost-effective approach is to focus resources on meeting the needs of a small number of schools each year.

2.10 There is a strong case, in line with the County Council policy of tackling behaviour-related issues in a comprehensive way, to target resources on secondary EBD schools. AMP data show that there are significant deficiencies in specialist teaching accommodation at Lakeside Special School, Chandler's Ford. There are also very significant deficiencies in the interim accommodation occupied by The Sundridge School in Cowplain. A Targeted Capital Fund bid to convert the former Park House Primary School building, Havant for use by the school was rejected by the DfES (see report to Executive Member, Education of 22 March 2002) and resources of some £2.5m now need to be identified to allow this important project to proceed.

2.11 It is proposed to reserve £750,000 as a contribution to the cost of the transfer of The Sundridge School and to carry out design feasibility work to expand and improve specialist teaching facilities at Lakeside School. A further report will be submitted as soon as possible covering the outcome of this feasibility work and of other potential sources of capital funding for the Sundridge transfer.

3 Staunton Park Community School - proposed Lottery bid

3.1 £109,000 was identified to fund surplus place removal at Park House Primary School, Havant in the 2001/02 capital programme. This funding was held in abeyance because of the wider review of surplus places in Leigh Park, which resulted in the closure of Park House Primary School from 31 August 2001.

3.2 The County Council is now embarking on a substantial lottery bid for Staunton Park Community School, Havant. The County Council and Borough Council have identified this project to improve and enhance sports facilities as having a high strategic importance, both in terms of community regeneration and its effect on young people. Sport England have encouraged the LEA to pursue this scheme costed at £3m.

3.3 As with all lottery projects, partnership funding is essential and it is necessary to identify pump-priming funding now to enable a submission to be made. As the original credit approval was obtained for the benefit of Leigh Park schools, it is proposed that this should be used as part of the pump-priming funding for the Lottery bid. Staunton Park serves children and the wider community in its area of Leigh Park. The school is contributing £100,000 from its community budget, with a further £150,000 as a result of its designation as Specialist Sport College. Havant Borough Council also intends to contribute £50,000. It is intended to make an application to the sports lottery fund in June 2002.

3.4 If Stage One approval is obtained, it will be necessary to identify further partnership funding in 2004/05. This could be considered against NDS Modernisation funding, in view of the priority given in the AMP to the provision of indoor sports facilities.

4. Cams Hill Secondary School, Fareham: loan for construction of a sports hall

4.1 On 17 April 2002, the Executive Member, Education approved a bid to the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) for resources to provide sports halls at secondary schools. The report referred to a proposal at Cams Hill Secondary School, Fareham, to fund a sports hall replacement, in the context of the loss of a temporary inflatable dome at the school. The cost of replacement is £450,000, including professional fees. Cams Hill's approach represents a cost effective solution for the County Council, as the school, which has foundation status, is prepared to fund the replacement building over a ten year period. The County Council would not normally act as a lender in this situation, but, in view of the overall benefits, including the ability to include more schools in the NOF bid, it is recommended that, as an exception, advance funding, estimated at £450,000 be approved in this instance, as part of the overall strategy for the provision of sports halls at secondary schools where such provision does not exist. The effect of this will be to bring forward future years of the Education capital programme to 2002/03, which will then be reinstated by the repayments, which will be made regularly over the next ten years, including interest.

5 Temporary classrooms

5.1 Approvals are sought to the placing of temporary classrooms at the schools listed below. Where suitable units are owned by the County Council, these will be used; otherwise new units will be hired.

New Applications

Elvetham Heath Primary School, Fleet

5.2 This school opened in temporary accommodation in September 2001 serving a new housing development of 1,700 houses. The accommodation provides four classrooms, a hall, administrative facilities and toilets. It is proposed to complete the building of the permanent school next summer, ready for the school to use from September 2003. The housing development is completing quickly and numbers in the school are rising rapidly. In order to respond quickly to increases in pupil numbers prior to the completion of the permanent school, it is recommended that approval be given for siting three additional temporary classrooms. It is proposed that a double classroom be provided from this September with an additional single classroom provided at a later date if pupil numbers justify its provision. The number of pupils expected in September is 110. It is recommended that planning permission is granted for an additional double temporary unit and a single temporary unit to be placed on site until the completion of the permanent school building in August 2003.

Sharps Copse Primary School, Havant

5.3 The Education Committee approved the closure of Sharps Copse Infant and Junior Schools and the establishment of a new 1.5 FE primary school on 10 October 2000, with effect from 1 January 2002. The capacity of the new primary school will be 330 places in 11 permanent classes. Pupil numbers currently feeding through the school will necessitate 12 classes until 2006. Therefore, it is recommended that a double temporary classroom is placed on site until August 2006.

Renewals

Bay House School, Gosport

5.4 The permanent 11-16 accommodation at this school will be 1,750 places on completion of the current building project. Of the 1,750 places, 330 places are provided in temporary accommodation. The school's current number on roll is 1,665 and is forecast to rise to 1,750 places. Planning permission for two of the double temporary classrooms on site expires on 31 July 2002 and it is recommended that this be renewed until August 2006.

Beech Down Primary School, Basingstoke

5.5 Following the fire in November 2000 which destroyed the school, temporary accommodation was provided on the site. Planning permission for the siting of this accommodation, consisting of the equivalent of six double units, expired in April this year. The temporary accommodation is still required in order to provide education for pupils at the school and planning permission is recommended for renewal until August 2006.

Crofton Anne Dale Junior School, Fareham

5.6 The current capacity of this school is 390 places, which includes 30 places in temporary accommodation. The current number on roll is 409, with forecast numbers holding at this level for the foreseeable future. Planning permission for the single temporary classroom is due to expire in May 2002 and approval to seek renewal of the planning permission is sought until August 2006.

Droxford Junior School

5.7 This school has a capacity of 140 places, including 60 in two single temporary classroom units. The number on roll is 123 and this is projected to rise to 137 within the next two years. Funding exists in the Education capital programme to extend the school and allow the temporary units to be replaced. It is recommended that the units remain on site until the completion of the permanent building, at which time they will be removed from site. Planning permission for one of the units expires on 30 June 2002 and for the other on 31 August 2002.

Grange Infant School, Gosport

5.8 The permanent accommodation at this school is 180 places, with a further 90 places provided in temporary accommodation, giving a total of 270 places. The current number on roll is 214. Discussions are currently being held with the school about the potential removal of the single temporary building. The school appears near the top of the list of schools facing high turbulence in pupil numbers. Planning permission for this building expires in May 2002 and is recommended for renewal for a two-year period until August 2004, in the context of a continuing review of pupil numbers.

Greatham Primary School

5.9 This school has 210 places, of which 60 are situated in a double temporary unit. The current number on roll is 205 and is forecast to continue at this level for the foreseeable future. The temporary classrooms are, therefore, required to accommodate pupil numbers at the school. Planning permission for the siting of the double unit expires on 31 August 2002 and is recommended for renewal until August 2006.

Hatch Warren Junior School, Basingstoke

5.10 This school has 360 places, of which 120 are in temporary accommodation. The current number on roll is 348 and this level will be maintained in the future. The planning permission for one of the double units expires on 31 August this year and needs to be renewed until August 2006 to enable the temporary accommodation to remain to cater for pupils at the school.

Henry Beaufort School, Winchester

5.11 The school has one double and a single temporary classroom unit on site pending the completion of a basic need scheme, which is currently on site. The units are scheduled for removal at the end of the contract. On 22 March 2002 the school was successful with a Seed Challenge bid to carry out work to the community block and the dining facilities, including the kitchen. Work to this area will mean that the existing facilities will not be available for use by the school. It is recommended that the two temporary units be left on site until the completion of Seed Challenge building works, at which time they will be removed.

Marchwood Junior School

5.12 The school has a capacity of 330 places, including 120 in temporary accommodation. The number on roll is 321 and is likely to remain at this level for the foreseeable future. Funding exists in the Education capital programme to replace all the temporary accommodation with permanent build. In the meanwhile, the planning permission for one of the double temporary classrooms expires on 30 June 2002 but will need to be renewed to provide sufficient accommodation for the pupils. On the completion of the building works, all temporary units will be removed from site.

Meonstoke CE (C) Infant School

5.13 The school has a capacity of 90 places, 30 of which are provided in a single temporary classroom. The number on roll is currently 77. There is funding in the Education capital programme to replace the unit with permanent build but the unit will need to remain on site until the completion of the work, at which time it will be removed. The planning permission on the unit expires on 30 June 2002.

Netley Marsh CE (C) Infant School

5.14 The school has a capacity of 111 places, including 60 places in a double temporary classroom. The current number on roll is 75 and is expected to increase to 85 pupils within the next two years. The planning permission for the unit expired on 31 March 2002 but will need to be renewed to cater for the pupils at the school.

Saxon Wood School, Basingstoke

5.15 This school caters for pupils with physical disabilities, from ages 2 to 11. It caters for up to 45 pupils. The single temporary unit accommodates Key Stage 1 pupils and continues to be required to continue to allow class sizes to be kept to the optimum size of nine pupils. Planning permission expires on 31 August 2002 and is recommended for renewal until August 2006.

St Bede CE ( C ) Primary School, Winchester

5.16 Following the flooding of the site in December 2000, temporary accommodation was placed on the Westgate Secondary School detached playing field at Bereweeke Road to allow the school to re-open. Planning permission for the siting of this accommodation, consisting of the equivalent of 14 double units and one single unit, expires on 31 August 2002. However, this will require renewal to allow the continued siting of the units, pending the rebuilding of the school on the original site which is expected to be completed in April 2003.

St Francis School, Fareham

5.17 As a result of the disposal of Wakefield House in 1997, temporary buildings were located at St Francis School, to accommodate the post-16 house in the community, Howard House. A scheme to replace the temporary accommodation with a permanent solution was agreed by the Executive Member, Education, on 11 October 2001. This project is due for completion in summer 2002 and the double temporary classroom will be required until occupation of the new building.

5.18 The single temporary classroom on site will be required for the foreseeable future to accommodate the 90 pupil place number. The school currently has nine permanent class bases, including a PMLD base, but requires 10 classrooms to facilitate the integration of PMLD children with their peers. Planning permission is due to expire in July 2002 and is recommended for renewal until August 2006.

Wellow Primary School

5.19 The school has a capacity of 270 places, including 60 places provided in two single temporary classroom units. There are currently 236 pupils on roll and this is expected to rise to 252 pupils within the next two years. Funding exists in the Education capital programme to replace the units. It is recommended that the planning permission for the units, which expires on 31 August 2002, is renewed pending the completion of the building work.

Whitedown School, Alton

5.20 This school caters for pupils with severe learning difficulties from the ages of 2 to 19, and currently provides 45 places. The school has 36 pupils on roll. A single temporary classroom is provided in order to accommodate pupils at the school and keep class sizes to the optimum. This facility needs to remain on site in order to provide much needed accommodation. Planning permission expired in April 2002 and is recommended for renewal until August 2006. A long-term strategy has been developed to replace the school in view of the poor quality accommodation. This involves closing this school and The Meadow School and building a new school on The Meadow site, subject to suitable funding being available.

Winton School

5.21 The school has a capacity of 1,042 places with 937 pupils on roll at present. The planning permission on one of the units expires on 30 September 2002 and this unit provides the school with a science laboratory. It is recommended that the planning permission be renewed in order to provide the school with the requisite number of science laboratories in which to deliver the National Curriculum. Although no funding exists in the Education capital programme at present, it is anticipated that when the proposed major development area for Andover is built, this unit will be replaced with a permanent build.

Recommendations

3. That the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services be asked to prepare costed feasibility studies on the projects listed in Appendix 1, with a view to possible inclusion in the Education capital programme for 2003/04.

4. That a Stage One bid to the National Lottery Fund for provision of comprehensive sporting and community facilities at Staunton Park Community School, Havant be approved, using £109,000 of minor works provision.

3. That approval be given to the advance funding of a replacement sports hall, estimated at £450,000, repayable with interest over a period of ten years by the governing body of Cams Hill Secondary School, Fareham.

4. That approval be given for the siting of temporary classroom accommodation at the following school sites:

Elvetham Heath Primary School, Fleet - one double unit and one single unit

Sharps Copse Primary School, Havant - one double unit.

5. That approval be given for the continued siting of temporary classroom accommodation at the following school sites:

Bay House School, Gosport - two double units

Beech Down Primary School, Basingstoke - three double units and one single unit

Crofton Anne Dale Junior School, Fareham - one single unit

Droxford Junior School - two single units

Grange Infant School, Gosport - one single unit

Greatham Primary School - one double unit

Hatch Warren Junior School, Basingstoke - one double unit

Henry Beaufort School, Winchester - one double unit and one single unit

Marchwood Junior School - one double unit

Meonstoke CE (C) Infant School - one single unit

Netley Marsh CE (C ) Infant School - one double unit

St Bede CE (C) Primary School, Winchester - 14 double units and one single unit

St Francis School, Fareham - one single unit

Saxon Wood School, Basingstoke - one single unit

Wellow Primary School - two single units

Whitedown School, Alton - one single unit

Winton School, Andover - one double unit

6. That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member, Policy and Resources, that the applications for the temporary classroom accommodation listed in recommendations three and four approved until 31 August 2006, except for Grange Infant School, Gosport which should be until 31 August 2004.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB: the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

None.

Appendix 1

1. Proposed primary school temporary classroom schemes

School	No. of temporary classrooms	Other facilities lacking	Comments
Bursledon Infant	3	ICT Music/drama
Fordingbridge Infant	2	ICT Music/drama
Four Marks Primary	2	-	Basic need scheme in design
Hiltingbury Infant	2	ICT Music/drama
Hiltingbury Junior	2	ICT Language Unit	Language unit needed to take children from unit in infant school.
Hythe Primary	2	ICT Music/drama Small hall
Long Sutton Primary	1	ICT Music/drama	Some internal adaptation required
Shakespeare Junior, Eastleigh	2	Group room
Tower Hill Primary, Farnborough	4	Library Music/drama Toilets
Wherwell Primary	1	Music/drama	Staff room in temporary building. Contribution to be considered from proposed DfES funding to improve admin facilities
Wicor Primary, Fareham	4	Library Music/drama	Price's Trust funding also available

2. Proposed primary school hall provision schemes

School	Other facilities lacking
Grateley Primary	ICT. Music/drama
Steep Primary	ICT. Music/drama
Whitewater Primary	ICT. Music/drama

3. Proposed primary school drainage schemes

Barncroft Junior, Havant	£15,000
Bidbury Junior, Havant	£15,000
Bishopswood Infant, Basingstoke	£10,000
Denmead Junior	£15,000
Emsworth Primary	£15,000
Four Lanes Infant, Basingstoke	£15,000
Hart Plain Junior, Cowplain	£30,000
Hulbert Junior, Waterlooville	£30,000
Kings Copse Primary, Hedge End	£20,000
Longparish Primary	TBA
Marnel Junior & Infant, Basingstoke	£10,000
Meadowlands Junior, Cowplain	£15,000
Padnell Junior & Infant, Cowplain	£15,000
Peel Common Junior, Gosport	£15,000
Riders Junior, Havant	£15,000
Shamblehurst Primary, Hedge End	£15,000
Sharps Copse Primary, Havant	£15,000
St James Primary, Emsworth	£15,000
St Mary's Church of England Junior, ????	£15,000
St Thomas More Catholic Primary, Havant	£15,000
Titchfield Primary	£10,000
Uplands Primary, Fareham	£10,000
Waite End Primary, Waterlooville	£15,000
Wallisdean Primary, Fareham	£15,000
Wicor Primary, Fareham	£17,500
Woodlands Education Centre, Cowplain	£15,000
Total likely cost	£392,500

4. Proposed special school schemes

School	Proposed work
Lakeside EBD, Chandler's Ford	Improvements to Art, CDT, food technology and science. Removal of temporary building
Sundridge EBD, Cowplain	Contribution to relocation to Park House Primary site, Havant