Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the BUILDINGS, LAND AND CONTRACTS PANEL of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 9 December 2003.
PRESENT:
Councillors: T. K. Thornber CBE (Chairman); M.F. Cartwright; B.D. Dash;
C. Davidovitz; W.H. Wheeler; M.J. Woodhall.
94 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.
95 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 24 October 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
96 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
There were no Chairman's communications.
97 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS
There were no Members' Questions.
98 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations.
99 CHANGE TO PANEL'S NAME AND TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Panel considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on a proposal to amend the terms of reference and rename the Panel.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised to RECOMMEND to the County Council:
(i) That the Terms of Reference for the Panel be amended to include a new:
" (j) The development of the Corporate Procurement Strategy, the management arrangements for the implementation of the Strategy, and to provide an overview of the County Council's procurement activities including the development of e-procurement and e-tendering initiatives."
(ii) That in view of (i) above, the Panel be re-named the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel.
100 WINCHESTER EARLY YEARS CENTRE - DESIGN PROJECT APPRAISAL
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 15 in the Minute Book) on a building design project appraisal for a new early years centre at this establishment.
The Chairman communicated to the Panel the concerns of Councillor Jo Kelly over the proposal not to include a sprinkler system. Councillors M.F. Cartwright and W.H. Wheeler had similar concerns and explained these to the meeting. The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services reminded the Panel that the County Council's policy regarding sprinklers, introduced in April 2003, required their installation in new stand alone buildings with the primary purpose of reducing the risk of death or injury from fire, with each project considered on its individual circumstances.
The Early Years Centre was the first project appraisal for a stand-alone building to be considered by the Executive Member Education and Policy and Resources since the introduction of this policy, providing an opportunity for a review of the implementation of the policy on the basis of a project specific risk assessment.
The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services reported that following the risk assessment it was not proposed to include sprinklers in the Early Years Centre for a number of reasons. These included that the building would be evacuated well before a fire was sufficiently advanced to activate the sprinkler system in a particular room. It was felt the costs of such a system, in the order of £150,000, would be better spent on fire precaution works elsewhere. Also, the Panel noted that formal discussions had been held with the local Fire Officer who had agreed to the assessment in terms of the risk of death or injury from fire to occupants. Although, it was recognised that there would still be a residual risk of loss or damage to the property from fire were sprinklers not to be installed, as currently exists with all the County Council's building stock.
The Chairman reminded Members that the policy on sprinklers specified their use "as appropriate".
Following a detailed discussion on the issues involved, the Panel supported the conclusions of the report not to include a sprinkler system at the Early Years Centre.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised as follows:
That the design project appraisal for Winchester Early Years Centre be approved.
101 EGGARS SCHOOL, ALTON - DESIGN PROJECT APPRAISAL
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on a building design project appraisal for a new IT classroom block, new sports hall and internal refurbishment at this school. In response to a Member's request, the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services agreed to bring a future report to the Panel on the costs of energy efficiency requirements included as part of recent major building projects.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised as follows:
That the design project appraisal for Eggars School, Alton be approved.
102 FROGMORE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, YATELEY - DESIGN PROJECT APPRAISAL
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on a building design project appraisal for internal refurbishment and sixth form extension at this school.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised as follows:
That the design project appraisal for Frogmore Community College, Yateley be approved.
103 KINGS SCHOOL, WINCHESTER - DESIGN PROJECT APPRAISAL
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on a building design project appraisal for a six classroom extension at this school.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised as follows:
That the design project appraisal for Kings School, Winchester be approved.
104 PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL, ALDERSHOT - DESIGN PROJECT APPRAISAL
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on a building design project appraisal for a new early years centre at this school.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised as follows:
That the design project appraisal for Park Primary School, Aldershot be approved.
105 PRIESTLANDS SCHOOL, LYMINGTON - DESIGN PROJECT APPRAISAL
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on a building design project appraisal for a music/drama facility and extension to dining facilities at this school.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised as follows:
That the design project appraisal for Priestlands School, Lymington be approved.
106 TEST VALLEY SCHOOL, STOCKBRIDGE - DESIGN PROJECT APPRAISAL
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on a building design project appraisal for a new four class language block and alterations of two classrooms to one science laboratory at this school.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised as follows:
That the building design project appraisal for Test Valley School, Stockbridge be approved.
107 TOWER HILL COMMUNITY SCHOOL, FARNBOROUGH - DESIGN PROJECT APPRAISAL
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 13 in the Minute Book) on a building design project appraisal for a two classroom extension at this school.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised as follows:
That the design project appraisal for Tower Hill Community School, Farnborough be approved.
108 WHERWELL PRIMARY SCHOOL - DESIGN PROJECT APPRAISAL
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 14 in the Minute Book) on a building design project appraisal for extensions and internal alterations at this school.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised as follows:
That the design project appraisal for Wherwell Primary School, Andover be approved.
109 PROCUREMENT AND PROJECT INITIATIVES
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 16 in the Minute Book) giving an update on current procurement and project initiatives and seeking approval to a number of further procurement proposals for specific projects.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Panel note that an e-tendering pilot will be undertaken by County Supplies using up to six tenders across a broad spectrum of contract types and values.
(ii) That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised to give approval to:
(a) The following procurement proposals as set out in appendix 1 to the report:
· the negotiation of further work at Rookwood School and approval to £333,000 from capital repairs towards the work.
· Park Primary School, Aldershot - Early Years Centre.
· Priestlands Secondary School, music drama facility and extension to dining facilities.
· Eggars School, Alton - new IT classroom block and sports hall.
· Electrical Installation Testing and Inspection Programme.
· Alton Day Services.
· Hamble Community College - replacement Youth Building and re-roofing/refurbishment of newbold block.
· the appointment of Butler and Young as Approved Inspector.
· Serles House - phase II and approval of £200,000 from landlord's minor works to fund the work.
(b) The e-tendering pilot proceeding on the basis that an assessment of the potential impact on Contract Standing Orders is included in an evaluation of the pilot.
(c) The pilot e-tendering evaluation report is presented to a future meeting of the Buildings, Land and Contracts Panel.
(d) The following specific project issues as detailed in appendix 3 of the report:
· Winchester and Eastleigh Special Schools - that the financial position on the project at Lankhills/Osborne School be approved and that the final position is dependent on the resolution of the capital receipt and on the settlement of the final account with the building contractor.
· Gosport Discovery Centre - the siting of temporary buildings on the Gosport Museum site during the conversion works at Gosport Library (subject to planning approval).
· Beneficial Foundation, Leigh Park Nursery - health and safety work.
· Landlords contribution to schools - to note that infrastructure costs, particularly in secondary schools will be funded by the landlord and referred to in the relevant project appraisal.
· Treadgolds Museum - to note the position relating to temporary closure notices.
· Headquarter office accommodation. The taking of a ten year lease at Regency House, 13 St Clement Street, Winchester and Athelstan House, St Clement Street, Winchester and that the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates Practice) to be authorised to settle the detailed terms and conditions.
· Former Intech Building - conversion and redevelopment.
· Capital repairs - to complete NDS conversion funded scheme and preparatory work associated with the programme of capital repairs as a priority, and to carry forward to 2004/2005 the uncommitted element of capital repairs to enable delivery of the approved capital programme.
· Sprinkler systems - to note the on-going arrangements associated with the installation of sprinkler systems.
110 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That, by virtue of paragraph 9 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded for the remainder of the meeting.
111 NURSING CARE ACCOMMODATION - PROGRESS REPORT
The Panel considered the confidential report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 18 in the Minute Book) on progress concerning the implementation of the schemes.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Panel note progress on the implementation of the schemes and the risk management to achieve the overall programme within the budget.
(ii) That the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services be authorised, in consultation with the Leader, to take the necessary action in the light of the financial submission for the first two schemes to sustain the key programme dates.
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