Hampshire County Council Executive Member, Education 14 October 2004 Education capital programme issues Report of the County Education Officer and County Treasurer

Item 4

Contact: Bob Eardley, Strategic Planning Manager, 01962 846275. Email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report sets out proposed changes to the 2004/05 capital programme.

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.

1.3 Race and equality impact assessment has been considered in the development of this report and no adverse impact has been identified.

2. Amendments to the 2004/05 capital programme

The Hayling School (Landscaping works)

2.1 A surplus place removal scheme at The Hayling School was included in the 2002/03 capital programme. When the project was completed, an area of land became surplus and has now been sold for residential development. At the time the surplus place removal scheme was implemented, the anticipated capital receipt was insufficient to cover the costs of landscaping work and this was omitted from the contract, on the understanding that it would be reconsidered once the receipt was available.

2.2 The actual capital receipt was sufficient to cover the cost of the project and to allow the landscaping work to be carried out. The work involved is needed because the front of the school, including the main school entrance, has had to be reconfigured as part of the surplus place removal project. The proposed works will allow for the safe passage of vehicles and pedestrians, as well providing the school with a focal point for visitors. The cost of the work is £0.180m and it is recommended that the project is added to the provision for minor works in the 2004/05 capital programme, funded from the capital receipt which was added to capital programme resources on 21 July 2004.

School Travel Plans - capital allocations

2.3 The DfES has recently announced capital allocations to a number of schools which have produced School Travel Plans (STPs) authorised by the County Education Officer and Director of Environment and in place by 31 March 2004. The grant is intended to help schools to support sustainable travel to school and DfES expects the funding to be spent on measures identified in their STPs, such as secure cycle parking, lockers and bus bays.

The grant is payable at the following rates:

· Primary schools: £3,750 per school, plus £5 per pupil

· Secondary schools: £5,000 per school, plus £5 per pupil

2.4 Grant is paid as an addition to schools' devolved capital and the amount allocated to Hampshire in 2004/05 is £0.498m. A list of schools receiving the grant is shown at Appendix 1. It is recommended that the sum of £0.498m is added to resources for schools' devolved capital allocations for 2004/05.

Disability Discrimination Act - Grants from DfES

2.5 The DfES has made two grant allocations to the County Council for work to be carried out to comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The grants are £0.134m for Youth Service premises and £0.592m for adult and community learning facilities.

2.6 The schools and Youth Service buildings benefiting from grant to increase the accessibility of premises used for adult education are listed in Appendix 2. The works required have been identified following an access audit in 2003.

2.7 It is recommended that DfES grant totalling £0.726m is added to provision for minor works, to fund the projects listed in Appendix 2.

William Price Trust - interest accrued

2.8 The 2001-2002 capital programme included provision of £1m from the William Price Trust, an educational charity operating in Fareham, to fund improvements to schools in that area. Allocations were made to a number of schools in the Fareham area to carry out capital projects, most of which have now been completed. While the grant has been held pending expenditure being incurred, interest totalling £0.111m has accrued and is now available to supplement capital programme resources; in addition, there is an unspent contingency of £0.046m and underspending of £0.007m, giving a total of £0.164m.

2.9 Approval was given on 21 July 2004 to increase funding for the Early Years Centre at Oak Meadow Primary School by £0.066m, leaving £0.98m unallocated. Asset Management Plan data for schools in Fareham is currently being analysed with a view to identifying potential projects which could be funded from the remaining grant on a joint basis with individual schools. Proposals for specific schemes will be brought forward when this work is complete. In the meantime, it is recommended that the accrued interest of £0.111m be added to the 2004/05 capital programme.

Crescent Primary School, Eastleigh

2.10 The pre-school at Crescent Primary School, Eastleigh occupies two-thirds of a triple temporary unit, with pupils from the Shepherds Down outreach centre in the remaining third. The temporary unit is now at the end of its economic life and there is a need to replace it.

2.11 Replacement will be with a single unit for the outreach centre adjacent to the school (funded from the temporary classroom hire budget), and a double unit for the pre-school, which will be located adjacent to the main access, thus improving security for the pupils. The costs associated with the temporary unit for the pre-school are £0.055m and it is proposed that this expenditure is funded from the block vote in the capital programme (£0.340m) identified to replace temporary early education units.

Padnell Infant School, Cowplain

2.12 A double temporary unit at Padnell Infant School, Cowplain is occupied by a pre-school, which provides 24 early years places and performs a key role in the delivery of early years education in the Cowplain/Waterlooville area. The current accommodation is a poor condition and in need of replacement within the next 12 to 18 months. Following the recent closure of the Vyne School playgroup, Basingstoke, a purpose-built nursery unit has become available for re-location. The opportunity to upgrade the existing accommodation will allow this successful pre- school to continue to provide and improve upon its already high quality of provision. The cost of £0.030m can be met from the block vote in the capital programme identified to replace temporary early education units.

3. Action taken by the County Education Officer

3.1 During the summer holiday period, a number of urgent issues arose which required a decision in advance of the Executive Member's decision day on 14 October 2004. Following consultation with the Executive Member for Education, the County Education Officer has taken action to implements a number of variations to the 2004/05 capital programme. These are listed below and formal approval is now sought.

Former Hawthorns School, Basingstoke

3.2 The Executive Member for Education decided on 9 March 2004 to close Hawthorns School, Basingstoke and implement interim arrangements, pending the opening of a new school for pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties in September 2005. Following the approval of this proposal by the School Organisation Committee in July, a review of the buildings and site at the Hawthorns building was carried out in response to a request from the headteacher to improve health and safety and contribute to improved pupil behaviour.

3.3 As a result of the review, urgent works costing a total of £0.054m were identified. These include removal of gravel, paving repairs, reduction in levels around classroom areas and over-boarding of some hall windows, and a contract to carry them out was completed in time for the start of term. Further work will be required to site fencing and proposals for this will be brought forward. The review indicated the need for a full development plan to be worked up and this will be undertaken during the autumn term. It is recommended that approval is given to expenditure of £0.054m at the former Hawthorns School.

3.4 The 2004/05 capital programme includes provision of £0.245m for health and safety works £0.078m of this funding has already been allocated towards the cost of protecting hot surfaces in special schools.

Allocation of funding from the capital programme provision for permanent early years facilities

3.5 On 21 July 2004, the Executive Member for Education approved expenditure of £0.330m from the contingency to enable work to start at the Sharps Copse Early Years Centre to enhance the existing provision as a Children's Centre, in anticipation of a grant allocation from Sure Start. Tenders were received at the end of July and there was a funding shortfall of £0.040m. £0.020m of this is being met by Policy and Resources and it would be appropriate to meet the £0.020m balance from the capital programme provision for provision of early years centres (£0.500m).

Allocation of grant for Nursery Education in Disadvantaged Areas (NEDA) for Children's Centre project at Siskin Junior School, Gosport

3.6 A new Sure Start centre, including a 60 place neighbourhood nursery is currently being built on the Siskin Junior School site, at a cost of £0.972m; the contract is being managed by Gosport Borough Council. The contractor for the project (Leonard Field) has recently gone into liquidation. Gosport officers estimate that there is a gross funding shortfall of £0.200m on the project. This is due principally to additional costs arising from a new contractor taking over the project mid-way, site protection and security, variations arising from the change of contractor and associated professional fees. A bond to the usual value of 10% of the contract cost will produce £0.097m and £0.050m is available through Children's Centre funding. A bid has been made to the County Council for allocation of the remaining NEDA grant (£0.022m), which can be spent in this area of Gosport, because it meets the necessary deprivation and other criteria. The remaining £0.031m has been agreed by Sure Start. The County Council is unlikely to be able to use the NEDA funding elsewhere.

Land to be sold at Rachel Madocks School, Cowplain

3.7 As part of the funding strategy for the new Havant EBD school and Education Centre, surplus land at Rachel Madocks School, Cowplain has been identified for sale to Warden Housing Association. To enable the sale to proceed, the Woodlands Education Centre, in temporary buildings placed immediately after the fire in 2002, needs to be relocated. This requirement was identified some time ago and the cost of the relocation is estimated at £0.180m. The cost is somewhat higher than usual because of the size and complexity of the building and the need for enhanced electrical works for intruder and fire alarms, CCTV and ICT. Also included are the provision of paths, parking and fencing. The cost would be met initially from unallocated capital receipts, which would be repaid when the land is sold, which is currently scheduled for late September 2004.

4. Rachel Madocks School - post-16 accommodation

4.1 Rachel Madocks School, Havant, occupies 55 Crossway, Havant as an off- site base for post-16 students, for small group teaching and life skills. The changing nature of the school population, with more students having higher levels of need and complex behaviour, coupled with limitations on accessibility in a two storey house, significantly reduce the use to which this property can be put. As a consequence, most post-16 provision is now made on the main school site. A scheme has, therefore, been designed to enhance facilities on the main school site, funded from the sale of 55 Crossway and the school's devolved capital. To enable this to proceed, it is recommended that the house be declared surplus and the proceeds used towards the project on the main school site.

5. Whitchurch CE Primary School

5.1 A basic need project to provide an additional 60 places at Whitchurch CE Primary Schools is included in the published 2005/06 Education Capital Programme. The school is coming under increasing pressure to meet the demand for these additional places that will need to be provided for September 2005 admissions. In order for the additional places to be provided in this timescale, design works has commenced with a view to letting a contract before the end of this financial year.

5.2 Therefore it is proposed that the project, at the budget cost of £500,000, be brought forward from 2005/06 programme into the current 2004/05 programme and to be funded from the unused balance of capital receipts as reported on 21 July 2004.

6. Schools Access Initiative

6.1 A report on 13 May 2004 listed a number of projects proposed to be f funded from the block vote in the capital programme to improve accessibility in mainstream schools. In May there was a balance of unallocated funding of £0.327m. Since that time several other projects have been developed to carry out access improvements in schools, and it proposed that these should be funded from this balance. They are:

· Olivers Battery Primary School - £0.055m

· Ringwood Junior School - £0.135m

7. Temporary classrooms

7.1 Approvals are sought for the continued siting of temporary classrooms at the schools listed below. In all cases, approval is sought for units to remain on site until 31 October 2008. In some cases reference is made to consideration of earlier removal, usually because of building projects, or because of an anticipated reduction in numbers on roll.

Bridge Education Centre, Eastleigh

7.2 Two small temporary units are located on this site and are used by the local Behaviour Support Team. A project to replace the Bridge Education Centre in permanent accommodation in the buildings of the former Tankerville School, Eastleigh is included in the 2004/05 capital programme; pending implementation of that project, it is recommended that planning permission for retention of the temporary units is sought.

Knightwood Primary, Chandlers Ford

7.3 The permanent accommodation at this school is 345 places, with a further 55 places provided in temporary accommodation, giving a total of 400 places. A public notice was issued in March 2003 to increase the standard number from 30 to 45 in order to meet the demand for places. The school were allowed to offer 60 places for the 2003/04 and 2004/05 academic years. owing to the number of pupils from within the catchment area. The current temporary accommodation will be required until these two year groups move into secondary education and approval is, therefore, sought for the renewal of planning permission for a further four years.

Limington House , Basingstoke

7.4 This school caters for pupils with severe learning difficulties, aged between 2 and 19. The temporary accommodation at this site is used for nursery pupils and there is no prospect of replacing it with permanent build in the near future. Approval is, therefore, sought for the renewal of planning permission for a further four years.

Marlborough Infant, Aldershot

7.5 The permanent accommodation at this school is 109 places, with a further 60 places provided in temporary accommodation, giving a total of 169 places. The current number on roll is 127. The forecast number on roll is being monitored closely in light of the pupil turbulence caused by the local military community and new housing developments in the area, but the temporary accommodation is required for the immediate future. Therefore, approval is sought for renewal of planning permission.

Medecroft Opportunity Centre, Winchester

7.6 Medecroft Opportunity Centre occupies a small area on the King Alfred's College site, in Winchester. There are two small temporary units on the site, one used as a staffroom and the other used as a base for the administrative staff. The centre is to be relocated as part of the Winchester Early Years Centre project which is expected to be completed by September 2005. Therefore approval is sought for the renewal of planning permission until October 2006.

Newtown Soberton Infant, Fareham

7.7 The single temporary classroom on this site is used to provide a 15 place pre-school. This accommodation is much needed, due to the limited facilities available within this rural school and there is currently no longer-term permanent solution. Approval is, therefore, sought for the renewal of planning permission for a further four years.

St Luke's CE Primary, Sway

7.8 The permanent accommodation at this school is 174 places, with a further 30 places provided in temporary accommodation, giving a total of 204 places. The current number on roll is 200. The school is currently being extended by one classroom to bring its' capacity to a full 1FE primary school but the temporary unit will be retained to provide a music / drama space for the school. Approval for the unit expired November 2000.and approval is sought for renewal of planning permission.

Recommendations

1. That, subject to the approval of the Executive Member, Policy and Resources, the following variations to the 2004/05 Education capital programme be approved:

(a) the addition of resources totalling £0.837m:

£0.498m from DfES grant for capital works in connection with School Travel Plans;

£0.134m from DfES grant for Youth Service premises under the Disability Discrimination Act;

£0.592m from DfES grant for adult education premises under the Disability Discrimination Act;

£0.111m interest on a grant from the William Price Trust.

(b) expenditure of £0.055m at The Crescent Primary School, Eastleigh from the provision for replacement of temporary early education units;

(c) expenditure of £0.030m at Padnell Infant School, Cowplain from the provision for replacement of temporary early education units;

(d) expenditure of £0.054m to fund minor works at the former Hawthorns School building, Basingstoke;

(e) an increase of £0.020m in the cost of the project at Sharps Copse, Havant from £0.330m to £0.350m, to provide a Children's Centre, to be met from the capital programme contingency;

(f) a grant of £0.022m to Gosport Borough Council towards the cost of completing a Surestart Centre on the site of Siskin Junior School, to be funded from DfES grant for Nursery Education in Disadvantaged Areas;

(g) expenditure of £0.180m from the capital programme contingency to meet the costs of moving the temporary buildings of the Woodlands Education Centre, Cowplain, to allow disposal of part of the site;

(h) 55 Crossway, Havant be declared surplus to educational requirements and that 100% of the sale proceeds be made available towards the project for the replacement post-16 facilities at Rachel Madocks School.

(i) Whitchurch CE Primary basic need project be brought forward from 2005/06 capital programme into the 2004/05 programme and funded from the unused balance of capital receipts at a budget of £0.500m

(j) expenditure of £0.190m from the SAI unallocated budget to meet the costs of access improvements at Olivers Battery Primary and Ringwood Junior Schools

2. That approval be given for the application for planning permission until 31 October 2008 for temporary classrooms to be located on the following sites:

Bridge Education Centre, Colden Common - two single units

Knightwood Primary School, Chandler's Ford - one double unit

Limington House School, Basingstoke - nursery unit

Marlborough Infant School, Farnborough - one double unit

Medecroft Opportunity Centre, Winchester - two single units

Newtown Soberton Primary School - one single unit

St. Luke's Primary School, Sway - one single unit

3. That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member, Policy and Resources, that the applications for temporary classroom accommodation listed in Recommendation 2 are approved until 31 October 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.

None.

Appendix 1

School Travel Plans - schools receiving capital allocations

School Name

The Linden Education Centre

Anstey Junior School

Ashford Hill Primary School

Berrywood Primary School, Hedge End

Bramley Church of England Primary School

Bursledon Church of England Infant School

Bursledon Junior School

Catherington Church of England Infant School

Clanfield Junior School

Copythorne CofE Infant School

Emsworth Primary School

Four Marks Church of England Primary School

Fryern Infant School, Chandler's Ford

Fryern Junior School, Chandler's Ford

Great Binfields Primary School, Basingstoke

Hart Plain Infant School, Cowplain

Hart Plain Junior School, Cowplain

Hiltingbury Infant School, Chandler's Ford

Hiltingbury Junior School, Chandler's Ford

Hurstbourne Tarrant Church of England Primary School

Lee-on-the-Solent Junior School

Liphook Church of England Controlled Junior School

Liphook Infant School

Liss Infant School

Liss Junior School

Lydlynch Infant School

Manor Infant School, Farnborough

Manor Junior School, Farnborough

Merdon Junior School, Chandler's Ford

Netley Marsh Church of England Infant School

Newtown Soberton Infant School

Parsonage Farm Nursery and Infant School, Farnborough

Petersfield Infant School

Petersgate Infant School, Clanfield

Rowlands Castle St John's Church of England Controlled Primary School

Saint James' Church of England Primary School, West End

Sarisbury Infant School

Scantabout Primary School, Chandler's Ford

Sheet Primary School

Shipton Bellinger Primary School

South Farnborough Infant School

St Bede Church of England Primary School, Winchester

St Luke's Church of England Primary School, Sway

St Thomas' Church of England Infant School, Woolton Hill, Newbury

The Crescent Primary School, Eastleigh

The Priory Primary School

Tiptoe Primary School

Wellow School

Westfields Infant School, Yateley

Wherwell Primary School

Woolton Hill Junior School, Newbury

Alderman Quilley School, Eastleigh

Bay House School, Gosport

Bohunt School, Liphook

Brune Park Community School, Gosport

Crestwood Community School, Eastleigh

Fernhill School, Farnborough

Hamble Community Sports College

Henry Beaufort School, Winchester

Hounsdown School, Totton

John Hanson Community School, Andover

John Hunt of Everest Community School, Basingstoke

Kings' School, Winchester

Mill Rythe Infant School, Hayling

Perin's Community School, Alresford

Portchester Community School

Robert May's School, Odiham

Test Valley School, Stockbridge

The Hayling School

The Henry Cort Community College, Fareham

The Romsey School

The Toynbee School, Chandler's Ford

Thornden School, Chandler's Ford

Wildern School, Hedge End

Wyvern Technology College, Fair Oak

Appendix 2

Capital allocations for adult education facilities under the Disability Discrimination Act

	Allocation £'000
Aldworth Science College, Basingstoke	31
Bridgemary Community School, Gosport	20
Brookfield Community School, Sarisbury	13
Calthorpe Park, Fleet	25
Court Moor, Fleet	55
Fort Hill Community, Basingstoke	3
Frogmore Community College, Yateley	42
Harrow Way Community, Andover	39
Henry Cort Community College, Fareham	17
John Hunt of Everest Community, Basingstoke	7
Mill Chase Community, Bordon	10
Mountbatten School and Language College, Romsey	25
Neville Lovett Community School and CEC, Fareham	51
Oak Farm Community, Farnborough	46
Perin's Community Sports College, Alresford	24
Portchester Community	13
Robert May's, Odiham	18
The Clere, Burghclere	17
The Hurst Community College, Baughurst	17
The Romsey	47
The Vyne Community, Basingstoke	16
The Wavell, Farnborough	13
Wyvern Technology College, Fair Oak	16
Yateley	27
Total	592

Capital allocations for Youth Service premises under the Disability Discrimination Act

	Allocation £'000
Hamble Community	50
Images, Dibden	20
New Milton Youth Centre	40
Chandler's Ford Youth Centre	24
Total	134