Archived decisions

Contact: Bob Eardley, Strategic Planning Manager, 01962 846275

1 Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

1. The siting of the following temporary classrooms:

(a) three additional bays to an existing unit at Pennington Infant School, Lymington, for use by early years groups;

(b) a double unit at Priestlands Secondary School, Lymington;

(c) a double unit at Salterns School, Totton.

2. That the Executive Member, Policy and Resources be asked to approve the applications for temporary accommodation listed in Recommendation 1 until 31 March 2008.

3. That the Salterns School post-16 facility, Mayfield House, Mayfield Road, Totton, be declared surplus to education requirements.

2 Reason

2.1 To provide sufficient capacity for early existing years groups, secondary pupils and post-16 facilities for pupils with special educational needs at schools in the New Forest.

3 Other options considered and rejected - not applicable.

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer consulted - none.

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 seeks approval to place temporary buildings at three schools in the New Forest.

2 Pennington Infant School

2.1 There are two pre-school groups operating on the Pennington Infant School site and both occupy temporary accommodation. One of the pre-school groups was displaced from Priestlands Secondary School, owing to a rise in pupil numbers, and has been housed in a new temporary unit at the front of the school site, as approved on 22 March 2002. This group was to have moved into new premises belonging to the Girl Guides, but the National Lottery bid submitted by the Guides has recently been rejected, leaving the pre-school group without a future permanent location. The second pre-school group occupies a double temporary unit in very poor condition with a limited life.

2.2 There is a proposal to amalgamate the pre-schools and provide sufficient space for one 48-place facility. This could be achieved by the construction of a new purpose-built permanent building, or by using the more recent temporary unit, with the addition of three bays. The cost of the permanent building option is likely to be prohibitive and would not be able to be covered by a Lottery bid. The alternative provision of a temporary unit capable of providing the required accommodation for both pre-schools is recommended, with the estimated cost of £30,000 being met by the balance of the funding for the provision of temporary accommodation for early years groups currently in condemned temporary buildings.

3 Priestlands Secondary School

3.1 A basic need bid was approved for the extension of the school by five teaching spaces and there is funding in the 2003/04 capital programme for an additional 118 places. The capacity of the school is 1,120 with 1,121 pupils on roll at present, which is projected to rise to 1,151 in September 2003. In order to accommodate the growth in numbers it is recommended that a double temporary classroom be placed on site until the building works are complete.

4 Salterns School, Totton

4.1 This school is a 2-19 special school catering for pupils with severe learning difficulties. It also operates a post-16 unit in a house in the community in central Totton. This house is not accessible for pupils in wheelchairs and, therefore, is not supporting the delivery of the appropriate curriculum for these children. It is proposed to move out of the house and provide a double temporary classroom on the main school site, appropriately fitted out, to allow the post-16 pupils to have access to the curriculum. It is proposed that a unit, currently on site at St Francis Special School, Fareham, be moved to the Salterns School site. Once the temporary classroom is in place, the house in the community will be surplus to requirements and can be sold.

Recommendations

1. That siting of the following temporary classrooms be approved:

(d) three additional bays to an existing unit at Pennington Infant School, Lymington, for use by early years groups;

(e) a double unit at Priestlands Secondary School, Lymington;

(f) a double unit at Salterns School, Totton

2. That the Executive Member, Policy and Resources be asked to approve the applications for temporary accommodation listed in Recommendation 1 until 31March 2008.

3. That the Salterns School post-16 facility, Mayfield House, Mayfield Road, Totton, be declared surplus to education requirements.