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

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

2.1 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. The additional costs involved in increasing the budget provision for these projects can be accommodated from the capital programme contingency.

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. 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). All the projects proposed for 2005/06 are minor works except for a 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.

3.2 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

3.3 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 a scheme at Mill Chase Community School, Bordon to refurbish two science laboratories and two food technology rooms, at an estimated cost of £0.380m.

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

4. Temporary classrooms

Tiptoe Primary School

4.1 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.

4.2 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.

5. County Council Policy Requirements

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

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

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

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

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

Recommendations

1. That 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

2. That 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.

3. That 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.