Hampshire County Council

Buildings Land and Contracts Panel Item 10

27 January 2004

Executive Member - Policy and Resources

19 February 2004

The Westgate School, Winchester

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

How the conclusion in this report fits with the Corporate Strategy

This scheme will impact on the delivery of all Corporate Aims, focusing most immediately on:

Aim 1 - maximising life opportunities: the proposal to provide a new administrative wing, upgraded science block and new classroom will have an immediate benefit for the school.

Aim 5 - improving services: all users of the proposed new facilities will benefit from these proposals.

1.

Summary

1.1

The Westgate School is a secondary school located in a residential area on the outskirts of Winchester City Centre. There are currently 1,065 pupils (11-16 years) on roll. The original school building is Edwardian, subsequent expansions being undertaken in the 1960's, 70's and 90's, the most recent addition being the new sports hall/badminton centre completed in August 2002.

1.2

The total cost of the proposed scheme to provide a new administrative wing, classroom and science upgrade is £1,016,000 excluding fees. An allocation of £216,000, excluding fees, is proposed in Education's 2004/05 Capital Programme, £139,000 excluding fees, from Education's 2004/05 Capital Programme (NDS Modernisation), a School contribution of £352,000, excluding fees, Policy & Resources 2003/04 Capital funding of £223,000, excluding fees and DfES Specialist School Status funding of £86,000, excluding fees.

1.3

Following the successful grant of planning permission for the Winchester Early Years Centre, the County Council is making a contribution in recognition of the loss of school facilities at the Bereweeke Road detached playing field site.

1.4

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design of the proposed additional accommodation and the purpose of this report is to outline the design proposals and seek approval to the attached design project appraisal.

2.

Scope of the Works

2.1

It is proposed to provide a new administrative wing at the eastern end of the main school building, on the site of the current caretaker's cottage (which is to be demolished). The caretaker will be re-housed in alternative accommodation as a result of this project. The accommodation will comprise a headteacher's office, a conference room, an assistant headteacher's office and associated ancillary accommodation, to include reception and waiting areas. This then releases the current administrative accommodation to be used for additional teaching spaces. It is also proposed to upgrade the existing 1960's science block situated in the centre of the site, and provide a new first floor teaching space over the adjoining building.

2.2

The Westgate School has been significantly relandscaped as part of previous schemes and this theme will be continued as part of the current proposals.

2.3

This project completes another phase of a longer-term development plan drawn up with the school over recent years.

3.

Procurement

3.1

An early appointment of a preferred contractor would resolve issues regarding programming and would allow the science works, in particular, to be ready for the new academic year in September 2004. This would also enable the Specialist College Status funds to be spent within the required Condition of Grant by the DfES.

3.2

It is proposed to negotiate these works on a design development and construct approach with Benson Ltd, a contractor that has recently successfully completed previous works at the school on similar terms. This course of action was approved at the November 2003 meeting of the Executive Member Policy and Resources.

4.

Funding and Timing

4.1

Subject to the necessary approvals it is anticipated that work will commence on site during April 2004 and be completed during December 2004.

4.2

An allocation of £216,000, excluding fees, is proposed in Education's 2004/05 Capital Programme, £139,000 excluding fees, from Education's 2004/05 Capital Programme (NDS Modernisation), a School contribution of £352,000, excluding fees, Policy & Resources 2003/04 Capital Programme funding of £223,000, excluding fees and DfES Specialist School Status funding of £86,000, excluding fees.

5.

Consultation with Local Member

5.1

Councillor Mrs P Dickens, local Member for this area, has been consulted and supports this design project appraisal.

Recommendation

That the Buildings Land and Contracts Panel advises the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that the design project appraisal be approved.