Archived decisions

Contact: Bob Eardley, Strategic Planning Manager, 01962 846275

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

1. That a major project to carry out access improvements at Brookfield Community School, Sairsbury at an estimated cost of £0.375m be added to the 2004/05 capital programme.

2. That the application for temporary classroom accommodation at Salterns School, Totton is approved until 31 May 2008.

2. Reasons

2.1 To approve variations to the capital programme.

2.2 The proposals in this report support Aim 1 of the Corporate Strategy (Maximising life opportunities) by proposing allocations of funding to improve the learning environments of Hampshire schools.

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 None.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or member or officer consulted

4.1 Not applicable.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1 Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.2 Not applicable.

Approved by: Date of decision:

Councillor T.K. Thornber

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

email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The 2004/05 Education Capital programme was approved by County Council on 25 February 2004. Since the programme was approved a major project under the Schools Access Initiative needs to be added.

1.2 The proposals in this report support Aim 1 of the Corporate Strategy (Maximising life opportunities) by proposing allocations of funding to improve the learning environments of Hampshire schools.

2. Amendments to 2004/05 capital programme

Schools Access Initiative

2.1 There is provision of £2.144m in the 2004/05 capital programme for projects under the School Access Initiative (SAI). Projects proposed to be carried out under this heading are all minor works, except for the scheme at Brookfield Community School, Sarisbury. The estimated cost of this project is £0.375m, funded by £0.250m from the current year's programme and £0.125m carried forward from 2003/04. A detailed accessibility study had been carried out by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services, which has identified that the installation of lifts, additional accessible WC and inclusion spaces to be used for hygiene, therapy and special education needs are required. These works will form phase 1 of a continuing programme of works aimed at making the school fully accessible to all pupils and other users. It is recommended that the project be added to the 2004/05 capital programme as a named scheme.

3. Temporary classrooms

Salterns School, Totton

3.1 Salterns School, Totton, which caters for pupils with severe learning difficulties from age 4 to 18, has a high number of pupils with severe challenging behaviour. The headteacher and staff of the school are committed to managing such pupils and minimising exclusions. Two pupils are being referred to the school from September, both of whom present severe challenging behaviour: one is moving from another special school, where the placement has broken down because of behaviour and the other has been excluded from an independent special school.

3.2 Salterns School has agreed to take these pupils, but has asked for provision of dedicated accommodation, in the form of an additional small temporary building of 29m², comprising two small teaching spaces and a withdrawal space. This would enable the pupils to be removed temporarily so that staff can address their behaviour effectively.

3.3 Approval was given on 16 October 2003 for funding for provision of a temporary withdrawal space at the school in permanent build and work is due to start on this shortly. The proposal in this report is in addition to this space, but is recommended for approval to assist the school in managing very difficult situations, which are disruptive and have potentially dangerous implications for staff and pupils.

Recommendations

1. That a major project to carry out access improvements at Brookfield Community School, Sairsbury at an estimated cost of £0.375m be added to the 2004/05 capital programme.

2. That the application for temporary classroom accommodation at Salterns School, Totton is approved until 31 May 2008.

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.

Letter of 19 December 2003 from DfES to County Education Officer: Capital Investment in Schools 2004/05.