AT A MEETING of the BUILDINGS, LAND AND PROCUREMENT PANEL of the County Council held at The Castle, Winchester on 13 October 2005.

Councillors:

p M.J. Woodhall (Chairman)

Councillor Collett's apologies were by reason of him being engaged elsewhere on County Council business, as a representative on a Police Authority Panel. Councillor Maxwell's apologies were by reason of his being engaged on other County Council business.

34 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate declare their interest, and having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

35 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 30 June 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the deletion of the word "Basingstoke" from the heading of Minute 18.

36 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported recent visits made to the extended Wherwell Primary School and the Gosport Discovery Centre, both in different ways very successful building schemes.

37 DEPUTATIONS

No deputations had been notified on this occasion.

38 PROJECT APPRAISAL : A33 RINGWAY INTERCHANGE AND POPLEY WAY JUNCTION IMPROVEMENTS, BASINGSTOKE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on a project appraisal to carry out improvements comprising the installation of traffic signals on the A33 Ringway Roundabout and at the Popley Way junction, Basingstoke. Members supported the proposals in the interests of road safety and reducing injuries resulting from accidents at these busy intersections.

RESOLVED:

That the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel recommends approval of the project appraisal to carry out junction improvements at the A33 Ringway Roundabout and Popley Way junction, Basingstoke at an estimated total cost of £3.7m:


(a) Installation of traffic signals on all six arms of the roundabout with additional carriageway widening.


(b) Provision of a bus lane on the Ringway interchange.


(c) Introduction of traffic signals on the interchange from Norn Hill.


(d) Provision of a segregated cycle route alongside the A33 between Norn Hill and Popley Way.


(e) Alteration of the A33/Popley Way junction to allow all turning movements under traffic signal control.

39 A3 PORTSMOUTH - WATERLOOVILLE - HORNDEAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT PRIORITY CORRIDOR PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT : SECTIONS 4 AND 5, WATERLOOVILLE TO HORNDEAN - PROJECT APPRAISAL

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on a project appraisal for Sections 4 and 5 of the A3 Bus Priority Corridor; and improvements to provide a footway/cycleway on the western side of the A3 London Road/Portsmouth Road. Members were concerned at the reservations expressed by some of the local County Councillors, and also by those relatively few members of the public who had responded to consultation. They felt that the County Council needed to do more to engage with the public, explain to them the reasons for and benefits derived from such major schemes and give feedback to them on their observations. In this connection the Director of Environment elaborated on the schedule contained in Appendix 3 setting out the main themes arising from consultation with the County Council's responses, and drew particular attention to instances where, as a result, it had been possible to build into the scheme improved facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and replacement street lighting.

Members accepted that the development now proposed represented the next phase in a £25m scheme funded by the Government, with the aim of providing fast, reliable and efficient bus services along the A3 Clanfield-Horndean-Cowplain-Waterlooville Corridor and into Portsmouth, with the aim of encouraging reduced car usage and congestion. The full benefits would emerge as the scheme developed, and results would be monitored with suitable reports back to local Councillors and the public. The Director of Environment confirmed that it would be possible to alter the design layout later if serious practical or operational problems emerged in the light of experience.

RESOLVED:

That the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel recommends approval of the


(a) Project appraisal for Section 4 Waterlooville to Cowplain and Section 5 Cowplain to Horndean of the A3 Bus Priority Corridor at an estimated cost of £11.936m.


(b) Conversion of the footway on the western side of the A3 London Road/Portsmouth Road (between Durley Avenue, Cowplain and Catherington Lane, Horndean) to a footway/cycleway under Sections 65 and 66 of the Highways Act 1980.


(c) That a review be undertaken on consultation arrangements on major schemes with a view to monitoring and communicating the outcomes in areas such as improved speed and reliability of buses, level of modal shift from car to bus, incidence of congestion etc.

40 AUTHORITY TO TENDER : SITE INVESTIGATION WORK AND ASSOCIATED LABORATORY TESTING

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) recommending approval to tender of a three-year framework arrangement providing site investigation work and associated laboratory testing to the Environment Department's Engineering Consultancy Based Geotechnical Section. Members were keen to ensure that efficiency and performance were built into the framework.

RESOLVED:

That the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel recommends the approval to tender of a three-year framework arrangement providing site investigation work and associated laboratory testing to the Environment Department's Engineering Consultancy Based Geotechnical Section.

41 CONSTRUCTION RELATED PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES IN THE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) detailing procurement initiatives. The Director of Environment reported that the opportunity would be taken in future to look again at the potential costs and benefits of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) as a vehicle for procurement, perhaps in areas such as street lighting and highway maintenance. Other options such as joint arrangements with other Local Authorities and joint ventures with the private sector would also be investigated. Reports would be made to Members before any changes in current procurement procedures were contemplated.

RESOLVED:

That the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel supports the procurement initiatives proposed to be taken forward by the Environment Department , on the basis set out in the report at item 8.

42 WEST TYTHERLEY CE PRIMARY SCHOOL

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on a building design project appraisal for a classroom extension to replace temporary accommodation at this school.

Councillor M.J. Woodhall declared a personal interest as his former wife was a part-time teacher at the school.

RESOLVED:

That the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel advises the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that the design project appraisal for the scheme at West Tytherley CE (Controlled) Primary School, at an estimated cost of £851,000, excluding fees, be approved.

43 STRATEGY FOR THE BUILT ESTATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 10 in the Minute Book) detailing progress made against the strategy for the built estate. Whilst Members noted and welcomed the major investment being made in school buildings, they would ideally like to see resources applied to the increasingly urgent maintenance requirements at other County Council properties. They therefore endorsed the intention of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services to put forward a business case for consideration at budget time. Members recognised that planned, proactive maintenance of buildings was the most efficient way forward and the County Council's arrangements for maintenance offered substantial economies of scale. The current upward trend in tender price inflation gave considerable cause for concern and would mean that efficiency savings in this area were unlikely to be realised.

RESOLVED:

That the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel advises the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that approval be given to the progress made against the strategy for the built estate as set out in the report at item 10, and that further reports be presented to the Panel on managing outstanding maintenance liabilities in the non-education estate in the medium term.

44 REVENUE AND CAPITAL REPAIRS 2005/06 - SIX-MONTHLY REVIEW

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the current financial position for revenue and capital repairs and the New Deal for Schools (NDS) funding. It was reported that integration of systems between architects and estates was yielding efficiency savings in procurement. A report on the costs arising from vandalism or arson at schools would be circulated to Members by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services.

RESOLVED:

That the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel advises the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that approval be given to the additions/amendments to the NDS/Capital Repairs Programme as detailed below:

45 SERVICES TO SCHOOLS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 12 in the Minute Book) detailing the approach being taken in developing Landlord's services to schools during the period leading up to the renewal of the Service Level Agreement. Members were encouraged that most Hampshire Schools now bought into the Service Level Agreement. Research leading to the improvement plan for secondary schools had revealed a need for more support in areas such as health and safety, accessibility and induction for new Headteachers. Members accepted that the Service Level Agreement offered great benefits to schools in getting urgent repair or maintenance work done promptly by properly qualified and reliable contractors.

RESOLVED:

That the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel advises the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that approval be given to:

(a) The development of Landlord's services to schools during the period leading up to the renewal of the Service Level Agreement.


(b) That further update reports be presented to future meetings of the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel.

46 PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 13 in the Minute Book) on the review of current procurement initiatives.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel advises the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that:

(a) Projects to be undertaken through the Framework for Major Schemes as identified in Appendix `1' be noted.


(b) The procurement initiatives that have been implemented this year as set out in Appendix `2' be approved.


(c) That the appointment of Mace as Construction Project Manager for the Ashburton Court Redevelopment be noted.


(d) Approval be given to the proposed procurement initiatives set out in Appendix `3' relating to:


· Former Intech Building, Winchester - refurbishment


· Fire Alarm and emergency lighting at older persons homes


· Portchester School - improvements


· Park Community School- response following major flooding


· Froxfield Infant School - provision of additional accommodation


· The Rookwood Centre - phase II alterations and improvements


· North Popley - archaeological investigation and strategic planting


· Curdridge Primary School - Extension


· Trosnant Infant School - Extension


· Wildern School - Virtual Learning Centre


· SCOLA Masonry Wall Repairs


· Milestones Museum - extension of maintenance contract


· Second Framework - tendering arrangements adjusted


(e) That the arrangements for the re-tendering of the engineering Maintenance Term Contracts be noted.


(f) That the SECE Framework proposals be noted and that Contract Notices are issued on behalf of the SECE.


(g) That the Second `Hampshire' Framework be extended to allow for the participation of other SECE authorities.

47 CORPORATE PROCUREMENT ISSUES - GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT CARD AND ELECTRONIC AUCTIONS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item on 14 in the Minute Book) on electronic procurement initiatives.

RESOLVED:

That the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel advises the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that approval be given to:

(a) The use of the Government Procurement Card Scheme, operated by the Royal Bank of Scotland, to streamline the purchasing process for catering supplies.


(b) The running of up to four electronic auctions on a pilot basis across a broad spectrum of contract types and values, to assist with developing procedural guidance and assessing the impact on Contract Standing Orders.

48 ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 15 in the Minute Book) on the approach being taken to develop the Education Asset Management Plan. Members were particularly concerned about the major financial liability which the County Council faced in maintaining and repairing its stock of SCOLA buildings, and at the lack of resources allocated by the Government under the Building Schools for the Future Programme.

RESOLVED:

That the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel advises the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that approval be given to:

(a) Provide the Department for Education and Skills with headline Asset Management Plan information on the education estate as requested by them.


(b) Submit to the Department for Education and Skills a bid for an exceptional allocation of £15m for completion of the SCOLA 1 recladding programme, such bid to be composite of claims against Building Schools for the Future and NDS condition monies.


(c) That representations be made to the Department for Education and Skills expressing disappointment that the County Council has not been allocated funding under the Building Schools for the Future initiative and will have to wait until 2011 before any such funding is allocated, with resultant severe problems and practical difficulties in Hampshire school buildings, and to point out that Hampshire has areas with levels of social deprivation equal to or exceeding many of those authorities who have received funding for their secondary schools.

49 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That by virtue of paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded for the remainder of the meeting.

50 FORMER ALTON DAY SERVICES, CHAWTON PARK ROAD, ALTON (CONFIDENTIAL)

The Panel considered the confidential report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 17 in the Minute Book) on the disposal of land at the former Alton Day Services Site at Chawton Park Road, and recommended disposal terms to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources (SUMMARY OF MINUTE WHICH CONTAINS EXEMPT INFORMATION)

Councillor M.F. Cartwright declared a personal interest in this item as his wife was the portfolio holder for housing at East Hampshire District Council.

51 FORMER WORTING INFANT SCHOOL, OLD KEMPSHOTT LANE, BASINGSTOKE (CONFIDENTIAL)

The Panel considered the confidential report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 18 in the Minute Book) concerning the disposal of land at the former Worting Infant School, Old Kempshott Lane, Basingstoke, and recommended proposed disposal terms to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources (SUMMARY OF MINUTE WHICH CONTAINS EXEMPT INFORMATION)

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