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 and 2005/06 capital programmes.

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

Management of falling rolls

2.1 The 2004/05 capital programme includes a block allocation of £1.000m for projects to assist with the management of falling school rolls. Previous decisions in March 2004 and January 2005 allocated contributions from this block allocation to the following two projects:

2.2 Further projects at two schools have since been identified which require support from this funding to remove surplus places through redesignation of spaces to provide specialist teaching accommodation, in conjunction with schools' own funding. It is recommended that the following projects are added to the provision for minor works.

An unallocated balance of £0.559m remains and it is recommended that this is carried forward to 2005/06.

Nightingale Primary School and Early Years Centre, Eastleigh

2.3 A major project at Nightingale Primary School, Eastleigh to develop an Early Years Centre and extend the existing school buildings is included in the 2004/05 capital programme and work began on site last October. Since that time further works have been identified to the former infant school building, which is being developed for the Early Years Centre and it is recommended that they are funded as follows:

The Butts Primary School, Alton

2.4 This school applied for Seed Challenge grant in 2004/05 for a project to extend the existing building to improve administrative accommodation and provide a multipurpose teaching room, at an estimated cost of £0.120m, of which £0.060m was to be met through Seed Challenge grant. The project would create a study area for teachers, increase the size of the administration office and provide a teaching space for pupils with special needs. Owing to Seed Challenge funded being significantly over subscribed, it was not possible to recommend approval for this project. However, as a result of a new housing development in the school's catchment area, the first instalment of a developer's contribution (£0.053m) has been received, which will support the funding of the building project. Funding of up to £0.050m was approved by the Executive Member, Education on 21 July 2004 from the capital programme contingency to allow the project to proceed in advance of the developer's contribution.

2.5 Owing to a rise in building cost inflation since the initial cost estimate in February 2002, changes in levels of tender prices received as a result of market forces, additional mechanical and electrical works identified through surveys and additional storage requirements of the school, the revised budget estimate for the project is now £0.180m including fees. Additional resources have been secured from the school and from Policy and Resources.

2.6 The full amount of developer's contribution (£0.080m) is available to support this project. Initially, the outstanding amount of developer's contribution (£0.027m) will be met from the contingency pending receipt in 2005/06 in accordance with the decision on 21 July 2004. The scheme is due to start in the summer of 2005. A summary of funding sources is set out below.

Early Education projects

Wallop Primary School

2.7 The early education pre-school setting at Wallop Primary School occupies a temporary building that has been surveyed and reported to be in very poor condition. Also the heating system for the building requires to be upgraded at an estimated cost of £0.014m. As the building is in such very poor condition it would not be cost effective to upgrade the heating system.

2.8 The pre-school caters for 24 children and their families and it is recommended that the temporary building be replaced with a purpose-made unit for the pre-school. The cost of the provision is estimated to be £0.090m and can be met from the balance of the block vote for Early Education replacement of temporary accommodation.

Court Moor Secondary School

2.9 The early education pre-school setting at Court Moor Secondary School occupies a part of the Youth Service building. The Youth Service are proposing to develop this building for use by them and the pre-school. The proposed plan will provide the pre-school with its own entrance, lobby, secure storage and an open plan activity area, together with an external enclosed play area.

2.10 The total cost of the projects is estimated at £0.228m including fees. The Youth Service are contributing £0.160m and it is recommended that the remaining £0.068m is met from the balance of the block vote for Early Education for the provision of permanent facilities.

Projects proposed for deferral from 2004/05 to 2005/06

2.11 It will not be possible to start a number of projects in the current year's programme before the end of March 2005, mainly because of time taken in agreeing the brief and scope of the schemes with schools. Details are shown in the table below and it is recommended that the projects listed are carried forward from 2004/05 to 2005/06. In the case of Netley Marsh Infant, the budget provision is increased for inflation from November 2003 to November 2004 prices. The increase at Priestlands, Lymington reflects inflation and a change to the budget provision when the project appraisal was approved in December 2003. Five projects are included in the minor works category, of which four are cash limited New Deal for Schools projects, for which no inflation increase is made.

3. Amendments to the 2005/06 capital programme

Schools Access Initiative 2005/06

3.1 There is provision of £2.119m in the 2005/06 capital programme for projects under the Schools Access Initiative (SAI). Appendix 1 lists the proposed projects to be carried out under this heading.

3.2 All are minor works except for the scheme at Portchester Community School. A detailed accessibility study carried out at this school by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has identified the need for the installation of a second lift to continue to make this a fully resourced mainstream school for pupils with physical disabilities. A budget of £0.300m has been identified for this purpose.

3.3 It is recommended that the project at Portchester Community School be added to the 2005/06 capital programme as a named scheme.

Secondary school science and food technology projects

3.4 The 2005/06 capital programme includes a block allocation of £1.350m for secondary science and food technology improvements. Individual projects have been identified and costed; all are minor works schemes, except for the scheme at Mill Chase Community School, Bordon.

3.5 Appendix 2 lists all the schemes in this category, indicating the number of specialist spaces being improved at each school. Contributions from schools' devolved formula capital are being made in all cases at 20% of the total project cost.

3.6 It is recommended that the project at Mill Chase Community School, Bordon be added to the 2005/06 capital programme as a named scheme.

Craft, Design and Technology (CDT) projects 2005/06

3.7 The 2005/06 capital programme includes a block allocation of £0.500m for secondary CDT improvements. Individual projects have been identified as follows:

3.8 Each school will make a contribution to the project from its devolved formula capital. Each of these projects will be treated as minor works.

14-19 Pathfinder project at Mill Chase Community School, Bordon

3.9 There is provision of £0.300m in the 2005/06 capital programme to fund works arising from implementation of the 14-19 initiative. A 14-19 Pathfinder project has been developed in conjunction with the Learning and Skills Council to provide an advanced catering facility at Mill Chase Community School, Bordon, at an estimated cost of £0.138m.

3.10 The Pathfinder approach is designed to motivate pupils who will benefit from a practical approach alongside more traditional GCSEs, by introducing a range of vocational courses leading to recognised qualifications with progression routes to further education, training and employment.

3.11 As a school in rural East Hampshire, opportunities at Mill Chase to introduce a more flexible curriculum have been limited because of distance from other providers, the relatively limited range available until recently at Alton College and the absence of funding. In some subjects a college link has been possible but in others on-site provision has been the best solution, to minimise travel time and costs.

3.12 Catering courses are oversubscribed at Farnborough College, the nearest provider. They are popular with boys and girls and can lead to a variety of courses post-16, but a teaching space equipped to industry standards is required to deliver this. With a collaborative approach to timetabling and use of resources established through the Pathfinder, such a facility can be sited at Mill Chase and used by several other local schools. The possibility of community use is also being explored.

3.13 Pupils will benefit from the increased opportunities for developing practical skills, improved motivation, the achievement of a qualification with a good progression pathway and the possibility of encouraging them to continue in education and training post-16.

3.14 The cost of converting and equipping a suitable space at Mill Chase is estimated at £0.138m. The Learning and Skills Council has agreed to contribute £0.060m (and is also providing revenue support of £0.015m towards staffing costs). It is recommended that the balance of £0.078m is met from the provision for 14-19 initiatives in the 2005/06 capital programme to allow this project to proceed.

Argoed Lwyd Mountain Centre

3.15 The Argoed Lwyd Mountain Centre, in he Brecon Beacons was bought by the County Council in 1992 and opened in 1993. It has accommodation for 46, arranged around two self contained units. Each unit has self contained rooms, dining room and kitchen. In addition an `annex' containing 10 beds can be used flexibly with either primary unit. The centre can therefore be occupied by either a single school, using all the facilities, or two separate schools which are self contained.

3.16 One of the units has 14 beds, with a kitchen and dining facilities that are adequate for the numbers. However, the dining room of the other unit has always been considered as too small. This is particularly the case when a large group of students may be occupying the centre using the full complement of 22 beds in that unit and 10 from the annex, or when a group occupies the whole centre and wishes to ensure that they are all able to meet and eat together.

3.17 Additionally, the dining room as it exists allows for little or no flexibility of use. It is too small for a classroom or workspace and offers no scope for other alternative use. There are also increasing health and safety issues involving the serving of hot food and drinks in an extremely confined space. Lack of space means that there is a high possibility of food and drinks being spilt over people.

3.18 In addition, access to the current dining room requires all children to walk through the centre of the kitchen, with its attendant hot surfaces, cookers, dish washer and food preparation areas. This is a major health and safety issue which, although managed through a well developed risk management approach, nevertheless involves less than good practice in the separation of young people and hazards.

3.19 The centre has traditionally been used throughout the year by schools from all sectors of Hampshire LEA and over the past two years there has been increasing demand for use from the County Youth Service and from Social Services. The level of negative comment from groups is now such that it is important that the steps are taken to remedy the problem.

3.20 Argoed Lwyd is managed by the Director of Recreation and Heritage, who has commissioned a project to extend the current dining room to accommodate up to 48 people at a sitting, with space to allow ease of movement between tables and groups, improving health and safety whilst hot food and drinks are served.

3.21 In addition, the opportunity is being taken to design the area as a multi-activity space. This means it can be used as a work area, classroom and planning area, indoor games area as well as a dining room.

3.22 The total cost of this extension is estimated at £0.336m. The Recreation and Heritage capital programme is unable to support the full cost of the project and contributions have been sought through the County Education Officer and Director of Social Services.

3.23 The opportunities offered by the Mountain Centre to Hampshire schools are very valuable. In this context and taking account particularly of the health and safety issues which the project would address, a financial contribution would be justified. £0.112m (one third of the cost) has been requested and it is recommended this sum, which would be cash limited, should be made available from the 2005/06 capital programme contingency.

4. Action taken by the County Education Officer

Hatch Warren Junior School, Basingstoke

4.1 A major project to replace temporary classrooms at Hatch Warren Junior School, Basingstoke is nearing completion. The chairman of governors at the school approached the County Education Officer in January with a request to fund a play area at the school, which had been omitted from the main contract. The estimated cost of providing the play area is £0.039m. The school has agreed to contribute £0.024m, leaving a shortfall of £0.015m. At the time the approach was made, a decision was needed urgently on whether the work should proceed, so that it could be programmed before the contractor left the site. The County Education Officer agreed to support the project and it is now recommended that expenditure of £0.015m from the capital programme contingency is approved. The governors have asked that their contribution should be reviewed when the site of the former Beech Down School is sold, as they believe the cost should be met in full from that source. Officers agreed to do this, but reimbursement would be subject to the size of the eventual receipt and to a future decision by the Executive Member, following a review of the issues.

5. Temporary classrooms

Tiptoe Primary School

5.1 Approval is sought for the siting of a temporary classroom at Tiptoe Primary School, Lymington. This school has four classrooms with a capacity of 120 places, together with a unit catering for pupils with severe learning difficulties. The number on roll this year is 115 with an expected rise to 118 for September 2005. The biggest challenge facing the school is the bulge in the number of pupils in the junior end of the school and the ability to accommodate 70 pupils in two classrooms. The other two classrooms are used for the infant age pupils.

5.2 Following discussion with colleagues in the Inspection Service it is suggested that a single temporary classroom be placed on site for one year. At the end of this period the classroom will be removed. Funding for the additional accommodation will be allocated from the temporary classroom hire budget.

6. County Council Policy Requirements

6.1 Legal implications - The proposals support the County Council's statutory duty to provide school places and comply with central government accommodation requirements and guidance.

6.2 Financial implications - These are set out in the report.

6.3. Personnel implications - None directly arising from this report.

6.4 Community cohesion, inclusiveness and partnership working - Most of the capital projects proposed in this report support these aims.

6.5 Crime prevention issues - None directly arising from this report.

Recommendations

1. That the following variations to the 2004/05 Education capital programme be approved:

(a) an allocation of £0.122m from the provision for the management of falling rolls to fund minor works at two schools;

(b) an allocation of £0.122m from the provision for early education accommodation to fund minor works at Nightingale Primary School, Eastleigh;

(c) an allocation of £0.048m from the capital programme contingency to fund minor works at Nightingale Primary School, Eastleigh;

(d) an allocation of £0.027m from the capital programme contingency towards the cost of a minor works project at The Butts Primary School, Alton, in advance of a developer's contribution;

(e) an allocation of £0.090m from the provision for early education accommodation to fund replacement of a temporary building at Wallop Primary School;

(f) an allocation of £0.068m from the provision for early education accommodation to fund refurbishment of the early years facility at Court Moor Secondary School, Fleet;

(g) an allocation of £0.015m from the capital programme contingency to fund minor works at Hatch Warren Junior School, Basingstoke.

2. That, subject to the approval of the Executive Member, Policy and Resources, the following projects are carried forward from 2004/05 to 2005/06 with the resources shown:

School	2004/05 budget	2005/06 budget
Priestlands, Lymington	0.930	1.100
Netley Marsh Infant	0.758	0.814
Minor works	0.569	0.578
Totals	2,257	2.492

3. That approval be given to:

(a) an allocation of £0.078m from the provision for 14-19 initiative towards the cost of a minor works project at Mill Chase Community School, Bordon;

(b) an allocation of £0.112m from the capital programme contingency to support the planned upgrading of the Argoed Lwyd Mountain Centre.

4. That, subject to the approval of the Executive Member, Policy and Resources, the following variations to the 2005/06 Education capital programme be approved:

(a) the addition of a major project at Portchester Community at an estimated cost of £0.300m, to be funded from the block allocation for Schools Access Initiative;

(b) the addition of a major project at Mill Chase Community School, Bordon at an estimated cost of £0.380m, to be funded from the block allocation for secondary school improvements.

5. That, subject to the approval of the Executive Member, Policy and Resources, the application for planning permission for a single temporary classroom to be located at Tiptoe Primary School, Lymington until 31 December 2006 be approved.

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

Schools Access Initiative projects 2005/06

Appendix 2

Secondary school science and food technology projects

Science refurbishments at the following schools (costs exclude school contributions):

Hamble Community 2 spaces £0.152m

Mill Chase, Bordon 2 spaces £0.190m

Mountbatten, Romsey 2 spaces £0.126m

Robert May's, Odiham 2 spaces £0.152m

Test Valley 1 space £0.050m

Brune Park, Gosport 1 space £0.050m

Portchester Community 2 spaces £0.100m

Court Moor, Fleet 2 spaces £0.100m

Noadswood, Dibden Purlieu 2 spaces £0.100m

Cowplain Community 1 space £0.050m

Totals 17 spaces £1.070m

Food Technology refurbishments at the following schools (costs exclude school contributions.

Brookfield, Fareham 1 space £0.090m

Mill Chase, Bordon 2 spaces £0.190m

Totals 3 spaces £0.280m