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

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

1. That, subject to the approval of the Executive Member, Policy and Resources, the following variations to the 2003/04 Education capital programme be approved:

(a) an addition to capital programme resources of £52,000 from the Early Years 2003/04 revenue budget;

(b) an increase in the estimated cost of the proposed Sharps Copse Early Years Centre, Havant, from £507,000 to £559,000;

(c) an addition of £60,000 from unallocated capital receipts to the provision for replacement of temporary buildings used by early years groups, to fund the provision of a temporary building at Foxhills Infant School, Totton, to be used by the Ashurst pre-school playgroup.

(d) an addition of £80,000 from unallocated capital receipts to fund the provision of a withdrawal space at Salterns School, Totton;

(e) the minor works scheme at Lee on Solent Junior School be brought forward from the 2004/05 programme to 2003/04, with the cost being met from unallocated capital receipts;

(f) an addition of £15,000 from the capital programme contingency towards the increased estimated cost of the major scheme at Lee on Solent Junior School;

(g) an addition of £715,000 grant from Sport England to the resources for the major scheme at Hamble Community Sports College;

(h) an addition of £200,000 from the capital programme contingency to the resources for the major scheme at Wyvern Technology College, Fair Oak.

2. That approval be given for the applications for planning permission until 31 October 2007 for temporary classrooms to be placed on the following school sites:

Foxhills Infant School, Totton - nursery unit

Limington House School, Basingstoke - double unit

Samuel Cody School, Farnborough - double unit

3. That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member, Policy and Resources, that:

(a) an allocation from the proposed sale of "Mayfield", the former post-16 unit of Salterns School, Totton, of £80,000 (or 25% of the receipt, whichever is the greater) be made available to the Education capital programme to fund provision of a withdrawal space at Salterns School.

(b) the applications for temporary classroom accommodation listed in Recommendation 2 are approved until 31 October 2007.

2. Reason

2.1 To approve variations to the Education capital programme

3. Other options considered and rejected - none.

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 sets out proposed changes to the 2003/04 capital programme and submissions for new temporary classrooms.

2. Proposed amendments to 2003/04 capital programme

Sharps Copse Early Years Centre

2.1 On 17 July 2003 the Executive Member for Education approved a project appraisal for the provision of an early years centre in the former Sharps Copse Infant School building, Havant, at a cost of £507,000, including fees. At the time of this approval, a total of £455,000 was available through a grant from the New Opportunities Fund (NOF), leaving a shortfall of £52,000. An application had been made to NOF for an additional grant to cover this cost, but no response had been received. If the application was rejected, it was proposed to vire funding from the Early Years revenue budget to cover the shortfall.

2.2 NOF has now approved the additional grant, but the funding identified from the Early Years revenue budget is still required to contribute to the additional costs of the project. This funding of £52,000 would pay for improvements to the entrance, reception, and baby areas, the cost of which could not be met from the NOF funding. As these additional works would be valuable to the Centre, which is being funded almost entirely from external sources, it is proposed that a contribution of £52,000 should be made from the 2003/04 revenue budget for Early years and that this sum should be vired to the capital programme. Subject to the approval of the Executive Member for Policy and Resources, it is recommended that the overall cost of the scheme be increased from £507,000 to £559,000.

Salterns School, Totton

2.3 Salterns School caters for children with severe learning difficulties from age 4 to 18. During recent years, there has been a significant increase in the amount of severe challenging behaviour displayed by some of the pupils, resulting in injuries to staff on more than one occasion. To assist with the management of such behaviour, the school has asked whether a small withdrawal space can be provided, so that potentially dangerous situations can be defused. The estimated cost of such a space is £80,000.

2.4 There is no specific funding for this work, but the school has asked whether the cost could be met from the anticipated receipt from the sale of its former post-16 unit, a four bedroom house, which was declared surplus on 27 March 2003. In the longer-term it is anticipated that special school provision in this part of Hampshire will be reorganised and consultations are currently under way. In the meantime, however, there is a pressing need for this facility at the school and, although the receipt is potentially available to contribute to the capital costs arising from a reorganisation, the amount involved is proportionately small. In this context, it is considered reasonable to earmark a proportion of the receipt to meet the cost of the extension. As the amount involved is likely to be greater than the 25% of the receipt which would automatically accrue to the Education capital programme, approval of the Executive Member, Policy and Resources would also be required.

2.5 Pending the sale of the property, it is proposed to fund this work from unallocated capital receipts in the 2003/04 capital programme.

Lee-on-Solent Junior School

2.6 There is provision of £160,000 in the 2004/05 capital programme for a one classroom extension at Lee-on-Solent Junior School. A scheme for expansion of Lee on Solent Infant School is in the current year's programme. Economies of scale are likely to be forthcoming if the two schemes are tendered together and it is proposed to proceed in that way. To do so, the Junior School scheme needs to be advanced to the current year. It is recommended that this should be done and that resources should be made available from the current year's unallocated capital receipts to provide the funding. Since these receipts would be applied to the 2004/05 programme when it is approved, the overall financial effect is neutral.

2.7 The project has now been fully designed and the estimated cost, £292,000, includes provision for an extension to the library area, a new front entrance, additional car parking facilities and the provision of a footpath to separate pedestrians from cars at the entrance to the site. The school is contributing £67,000 to the overall cost from its devolved capital and Policy and Resources is making £15,000 available in recognition of major maintenance issues. There is also a sum of £35,000 available following a successful seed challenge bid. There is, however, an overall funding shortfall of £15,000; to allow the scheme to proceed, it is recommended that this sum be added to the capital allocation from the capital programme contingency.

Hamble Community Sports College

2.8 The project appraisal for the provision of a specialist gymnastics training facility at Hamble Community Sports College, at a total estimated cost of £2.107m, was approved by the Executive Member, Education on 27 March 2003. At that time the proposed funding included an "in principle" agreement from Sport England Lottery Unit which allowed the scheme to be progressed to tender stage; the formal approval and an allocation of funding grant of £750,000 has been received. This funding needs to be added to the capital programme resources for the current financial year, which will allow the contract to be let.

Wyvern Technology College, Fair Oak

2.9 A project appraisal for extended and improved facilities at Wyvern Technology College, at an estimated cost of £1.339m, was approved by the Executive Member, Education on 2 May 2003. The proposals include a multi-purpose studio and enlarged health and fitness suite, with associated changing facilities and storage, together with remodelling, to form a new public entrance/reception/social area. In addition the existing tennis courts will be upgraded with new fencing and floodlighting. Major maintenance work is also proposed to be carried out at the same time, at an estimated cost of £0.229m. This work will be funded separately by Policy and Resources. The total budgeted expenditure is £1.568m

2.10 Tenders for this project have now been received at a total cost of £2.198m, including the work to be funded by Policy and Resources, and after all possible cost reductions have been explored. After allowing for the additions to the Policy and Resources elements, a shortfall of £200,000 remains. The main reasons for the increase in actual cost over estimate are the scope and specification changes imposed by Sport England and tender price inflation, for which there has been no flexibility in the funding arrangements. It should be noted that the Lottery Fund has indicated that there is no more funding available from that source and there is a risk that if the project start is delayed beyond Christmas then the substantial funds would be lost. This project is a one- off opportunity to bring together a project that will benefit the school and the wider community.

2.11 This scheme is being funded from a wide range of sources, including Eastleigh Borough Council, local business and the community and includes a substantial contribution of over £250,000 from Wyvern's own resources and £498,000 from Sport England. As all possible cost reductions have been investigated, it is recommended that the additional cost of £200,000 is met from the capital programme contingency. Although this is a substantial additional contribution to the project, its overall value in terms of improved facilities for the school and the community, the wide range of contributors to funding and the opportunities offered to carry out major landlord repair and improvement works, justify the action recommended.

3. Temporary classrooms

3.1 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. In all cases, approval is sought for units to remain on site until 31 October 2007.

New applications

Foxhills Infant School

3.2 The Ashurst pre-school playgroup currently occupies a temporary building on County Council owned land at Colbury. Following a recent structural inspection, the building has been identified as being in very poor condition and requiring replacement, as it is beyond economic repair.

3.3 The playgroup's current building is situated on the site of the former Colbury School but this site is not close to any local school. The nearest primary schools are Foxhills Infant and Junior Schools approximately one mile away. It would be beneficial to the running of the playgroup, and for continuity for the children, for the playgroup to be accommodated on the Foxhills site. Following discussion with the playgroup management, an approach was made to the governing body and headteacher of Foxhills Infant School about relocating the playgroup to its site and they are very supportive. Relocation from the current site opens up the possibility of disposal of the site and, although the potential is relatively small, there is a reasonable prospect that a capital receipt could be obtained.

3.4 A suitable location for a temporary building has been identified on the Foxhills Infant School site and it is proposed to provide a new purpose built nursery unit, with toilet, kitchen and storage facilities, at an estimated cost of £85,000. It is proposed to meet the cost jointly with Policy and Resources, which is able to contribute £25,000 (some of which may be offset by the capital receipt referred to in paragraph 3.3). There is funding in the current year's Education capital programme for the replacement of life-expired temporary buildings used by early years groups, but it is fully committed. It is proposed to meet the cost of £60,000 from unallocated capital receipts in the current year's programme, but to make a balancing reduction in the provision for temporary buildings for early years groups in the 2004/05 programme, when it is recommended for approval in January 2004.

Limington House Special School, Basingstoke

3.5 Limington House school caters for pupils with severe learning difficulties from ages 2 - 19 and the current number on roll is 75. The school has nine classrooms which provide general teaching facilities. The school's temporary accommodation was originally provided for post-16 pupils following the closure of a house in the community used for educating post 16 students. The new headteacher has reviewed the use of this space and feels it to be inappropriate to provide facilities for post-16 pupils. It is proposed to re-organise the use of the school accommodation by bringing post-16 facilities into the main building and for the existing temporary buildings to be used for nursery pupils. Investigations are underway to undertake the permanent alterations to the building needed to improve the accommodation for the post-16 pupils, to provide an environment to undertake independent living education.

3.6 The school is now catering for pupils with more challenging behaviour and this has also impacted on the organisation of accommodation. The school's asset management plan identifies a number of deficiencies in provision, mainly specialist spaces. The school has no music room, science area, art and design space, food technology or resources area. There is no provision for meeting parents, meeting rooms, or therapy space and there is insufficient toilet provision. In view of the challenges facing the school, it is recommended that additional temporary accommodation is provided to improve facilities. This accommodation will provide space to enable the internal alterations to be undertaken. Further investigations of the permanent facilities that the school requires in the longer term will be carried out, in order to be able to remove the temporary accommodation. It is intended to relocate an owned unit to the site; this will provide two teaching spaces and will include toilets.

Samuel Cody Special School, Farnborough

3.7 Samuel Cody Special School caters for 11-16 year old pupils with moderate learning difficulties. There are currently 76 pupils on roll. The level of attainment of pupils currently attending the school has reduced in recent years and in future the school will cater for pupils who are less able than in the past. Those pupils' needs will be significantly different from the majority of pupils currently in the school. The organisation and management of the school pupil population will need to change to respond to pupils' needs and it is anticipated that this will mean having a class-based group with specific learning needs.

3.8 The school's asset management plan shows a significant shortfall in general teaching spaces. Whilst the school has good quality specialist accommodation, there are difficulties in using this for general teaching. There are only three general teaching spaces, which have to cater for all the general teaching curriculum, and it is proving impossible to timetable those spaces appropriately for the number of pupils on roll. As a result, it is proposed that additional temporary accommodation is provided in order to provide more general teaching space.

3.9 In the recent past, the school had temporary buildings that were in poor condition and were replaced. Whilst the capital project to replace this accommodation provided much needed specialist teaching space, the ongoing changes in the needs of pupils attending the school means that additional general teaching accommodation is now required. It is recommended that a double temporary building is provided by relocating an owned unit to the school.

Recommendations

1. That, subject to the approval of the Executive Member, Policy and Resources, the following variations to the 2003/04 Education capital programme be approved:

(a) addition to capital programme resources of £52,000 from the Early Years 2003/04 revenue budget;

(b) an increase in the estimated cost of the proposed Sharps Copse Early Years Centre, Havant, from £507,000 to £559,000;

(c) an addition of £60,000 from unallocated capital receipts to the provision for replacement of temporary buildings used by early years groups, to fund the provision of a temporary building at Foxhills Infant School, Totton, to be used by the Ashurst pre-school playgroup.

(d) an addition of £80,000 from unallocated capital receipts to fund the provision of a withdrawal space at Salterns School, Totton;

(e) the minor works scheme at Lee on Solent Junior School be brought forward from the 2004/05 programme to 2003/04, with the cost being met from unallocated capital receipts;

(f) an addition of £15,000 from the capital programme contingency towards the increased estimated cost of the major scheme at Lee on Solent Junior School;

(g) an addition of £715,000 grant from Sport England to the resources for the major scheme at Hamble Community Sports College;

(h) an addition of £200,000 from the capital programme contingency to the resources for the major scheme at Wyvern Technology College, Fair Oak.

2. That approval be given for the applications for planning permission until 31 October 2007 for temporary classrooms to be placed on the following school sites:

Foxhills Infant School, Totton - nursery unit

Limington House School, Basingstoke - double unit

Samuel Cody School, Farnborough - double unit

3. That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member, Policy and Resources, that:

(a) an allocation from the proposed sale of "Mayfield", the former post-16 unit of Salterns School, Totton, of £80,000 (or 25% of the receipt, whichever is the greater) be made available to the Education capital programme to fund provision of a withdrawal space at Salterns School.

(b) the applications for the temporary classroom accommodation listed in Recommendation 2 are approved until 31 October 2007.

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.