Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Education Item 17

25 March 2004

Portchester Community School, Fareham

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 reorganise the schools reception and administration accommodation, provide specialist facilities and improved accessibility 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

Portchester Community School is a comprehensive school for 11 to 16 year olds with a current number on roll of 820 pupils. The school lies in a residential area in the heart of Portchester.

1.2

An allocation of £397,000, excluding fees, has been made in the Education 2004/05 Capital Programme from the Schools Access Initiative (SAI) fund. This funding has been provided in order that work can be undertaken to improve accessibility at this school and specialist accommodation can be created. An allocation of £52,000, excluding fees, has been made from the NDS Condition Funding 2004/05. The school has made a contribution of £150,000, excluding fees, to reorganise the existing reception and administration areas of the school.

1.3

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design work and a design solution for the existing school buildings has been agreed. The purpose of this report is to outline the design proposals and seek approval to the attached building design project appraisal, at an estimated cost of £599,000, excluding fees.

2.

Scope of the Works

2.1

It is proposed to undertake internal alterations to the existing school to enhance the main entrance, reception and administration areas, create specialist accommodation and improve accessibility throughout the school buildings.

2.2

The existing main entrance to the school will be repositioned and new automatic doors fitted. An enlarged lobby with seating and display areas will be created and a new reception desk installed. A new conference room, meeting room and kitchenette will be formed and the Administration Officer's office and Community Education office will be repositioned to make better use of space. The main administration office will be remodelled and the Site Manager's office and workshop relocated elsewhere in the building.

2.3

By way of internal alterations in the existing main school building a physiotherapy room, Medical room and hygiene room will be created. The hygiene room will include an Accessible WC and shower and will be fitted out with specialist disabled equipment.

2.4

Accessibility works will be undertaken throughout the school buildings and will include new ramps, handrails, power assisted doors and automatic doors. Further details can be found in the attached design project appraisal.

3.

Funding and Timing

3.1

An allocation of £397,000, excluding fees, has been made from the Schools Access Initiative (SAI) budget and has been added to the Education 2004/05 Capital Programme. This funding, together with £52,000, excluding fees, NDS Condition Funding 2004/05, and a contribution of £150,000, excluding fees, from the school will provide a total of £599,000, excluding fees, for these proposals.

3.1

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

4.

Consultation with Local Member

4.1

Councillor Cartwright, local Member for this area, has been consulted on this project appraisal and has no comments.

Recommendation

That the Executive Member for Education advises the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that the project appraisal at Portchester Community School, at an estimated cost of £599,000, excluding fees, be approved.