Contact: Ann Begley, Assistant County Education Officer, ext 6518, [email protected]

Steve Clow, Head of Design, ext 7858, [email protected]

Ian Parker, Head of Estates Practice, ext 7269, [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 This report provides members with an update on progress in the design of the centre and the funding available to deliver the project.

2 Design of the New Building

2.1 Since the last meeting of the Special Educational Needs Panel the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has secured planning consent which the County Council's Regulatory Committee resolved to grant on 26^th November 2003.

2.2 It is proposed to build a T shaped building which will provide four main play rooms, staff room, therapy room, reception area, parents area and the administrative offices.

2.3 The Centre will have a single point of access from Bereweeke Road and an access drive will lead to a drop-off lane and turning circle in the far corner of the site.

2.4 The site will be planted with trees and shrubs to provide some screening of the development from the residential properties in Bereweeke Road and Bereweeke Way. Further planting will line the vehicular drive through the site and encircle the main play area. A quiet/sensory garden will be created and a secure play area for the under 3's will also be formed.

3 Education/DfES Issues

3.1 The total cost of the scheme is estimated to be £2,603,000 including fees, with part of the funding for the centre being provided by a grant of £715,000 from the DfES and the project was formally added to the Education Capital Programme on 4 December 2003.

3.2 The balance of the funding will come from a number of sources as detailed below:

(a) receipts from land sales and lease surrender

(b) Charitable contribution from the Friends of Medecroft

(c) Medecroft devolved capital (current and future years)

3.3 The value of the capital receipts will continue to be reviewed in order to give more certainty of the land value by the time the project is tendered although the exact value of the total capital receipts available will not be determined until after the contract is let. This is because at least one of the receipts will depend on the contents of the detailed planning consent which will need to be secured from the Local Planning Authority by the selected developer. A final reconciliation will take place when prices are firm and before a contract is signed.

3.4 The costs of the removal of the temporary hardstandings, playgrounds, bus loop and subsequent reinstatement works are to be funded separately.

3.5 Subject to the necessary approvals it is anticipated that tenders will be agreed during Spring 2004 and work will commence on site during early Summer 2004 and completed during Summer 2005.

4 Procurement

4.1 It is proposed to procure these works through a Framework Contractor under a partnership arrangement that will be linked to the Major Projects Framework Agreement.

5 Implementation Group

5.1 An implementation group has been set up which provides a forum for the headteacher and a member of the temporary governing body to meet with officers. Meetings are held regularly to discuss issues in the development of the new school which are chaired by the Assistant County Education Officer. The more detailed implementation of the proposal will pass to the Strategic School Improvement Manager at the appropriate time.

6 Winnall Primary School

6.1 A report was taken to the Special Educational Needs Panel on 27 June 2003 which outlined a proposal to provide additional early years facilities at Winnall Primary School as part of the early years re-organisation in Winchester. Following the relocation of an existing pre-school into the building adjacent to the school site and checking the updated statistics for the area it is apparent there is no longer the need for the proposed pre-school provision. Consequently the Executive Member, Education decided on 22 January 2004 that the project should be withdrawn from the Education capital programme.

Recommendation(s)

That:

1 The report be noted.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important

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