Hampshire County Council Item 8

Buildings, Land and Contracts Panel

25 July 2003

Sharps Copse School, Havant - Early Years Centre

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

Sharps Copse School is located in Prospect Lane, Havant. Following the amalgamation of Sharps Copse Infant and Junior Schools into one building, it is intended to locate a new Early Years Centre into the SCOLA building vacated by Sharps Copse Infant School.

1.2

This project, which involves the internal refurbishment of the SCOLA building, has recently been approved through the Neighbourhood Nursery Initiative (NNI), with funding from the New Opportunities Fund of £392,250 (excluding fees), for new nursery places to be open by the end of December 2003. A further £45,000 (excluding fees) will be sought from the NNI for this project. Should that be unsuccessful, funding will be found from the Early Years revenue budget.

1.3

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design of the proposed accommodation and the purpose of this report is to outline the design proposals and seek approval to the attached design project appraisal at an estimated cost of up to £437,000, excluding fees.

2.

Scope of the Works

2.1

It is proposed to utilise the existing SCOLA building which was vacated by the infant school following its amalgamation with the junior school into a primary school. The SCOLA building offers good-sized accommodation without the need to extend. The scheme proposes to utilise the existing layout as much as possible to ensure an economic project, forming new areas appropriate to the new use. The building is split into two linked blocks and it is proposed to use the larger block for this scheme (Phase 1). The smaller block is reserved for future community related use to form an overall Early Years Centre as further funding becomes available to refurbish as a future second phase.

2.2

Phase 1 will provide: an integrated nursery wing for 30 3-4 year olds and full day care for 24 3-5 year olds; a toddler wing for 16 2-3 year olds and baby room for 12 0-2 year olds; staff and administration facilities, storage and children/adult wc's; shared main hall linking with future community use.

3.

Funding and Timing

3.1

Funding of £392,250, excluding fees, has been allocated from the New Opportunities Fund. A further £45,000 (excluding fees) will be sought from the NNI for this project. Should that be unsuccessful, funding will be found from the Early Years revenue budget.

3.2

Subject to the necessary approvals it is anticipated that tenders will be invited during July 2003 and work will commence on site during August 2003 and be completed during November 2003.

4.

Procurement

4.1

Subject to the necessary approvals, an early appointment of a preferred contractor would resolve issues regarding programming and would allow the works to commence on site in the summer holiday period and be completed by the end of November 2003. With the fit-out and occupation of the new facility during December 2003, this would enable the delivery of the project in time for the start of the new Spring term in January 2004.

4.2

It is proposed to negotiate this scheme with Brazier Construction (a division of Kier Regional Ltd) who have successfully completed the works on the same school site to amalgamate the Infant and Junior Schools into a Primary School in the old Junior School building. The works were completed on cost, ahead of schedule and to high quality.

Recommendation

That the Buildings, Land and Contracts Panel advises the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that:

1. The design project appraisal for Sharps Copse School, Havant, at an estimated cost of £437,000, excluding fees, be approved.

2. The scheme of work be negotiated with Brazier Construction.