Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the BUILDINGS, LAND AND PROCUREMENT PANEL of the County Council held at The Castle, Winchester on 24 January 2006.

Councillors:

p M.J. Woodhall (Chairman)

63 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.

64 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 7 December 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

65 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

No communications were made under this item.

66 DEPUTATIONS

No deputations were made under this item.

67 REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS - THE SQUARE, HAMBLE - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) detailing the project appraisal for environmental improvements to The Square at Hamble.

It was noted that the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management supported the proposal.

RESOLVED:


That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that the project appraisal for environmental improvements to The Square at Hamble at an estimated cost of £880,00 including external funding, be approved.

68 WILDERN SECONDARY SCHOOL, HEDGE END

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book) detailing the project appraisal for a purpose built lecture hall for interactive teaching of information and communication technology.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that the project appraisal for the scheme at Wildern Secondary School, at an estimated cost of £702,000, excluding fees, be approved.

69 HAVANT BEHAVIOURAL, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DIFFICULTIES (BESD) SCHOOLS - REPLACEMENT FOR THE SUNDRIDGE SCHOOL

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) detailing the project appraisal for a new BESD secondary school to replace the Sundridge School in Waterlooville, at a total cost of £4,782,000 excluding fees.

It was noted that a housing development was proposed to the north and east of the proposed school and the remainder would be retained as open space. It was also reported at the meeting that both ward Members for this area were supportive of the scheme.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that the project appraisal for Havant BESD School, including the access road, at an estimated total cost of £4,782,000, excluding fees, be approved.

70 COWPLAIN COMMUNITY SCHOOL, WATERLOOVILLE - PROVISION OF A FLOODLIGHT SYNTHETIC TEST PITCH (STP) AND MULTI-USE GAMES AREA (MUGA)

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 9 in the Minute Book) concerning a scheme for the provision of a STP and MUGA for use by Cowplain School and the local community.

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services explained in detail the background to the foul/storm water drainage problems encountered under the STP and the resultant local opposition. The Panel were advised that it was not standard practice to arrange detailed surveys of drainage services for schemes at feasibility stage, due to their costly nature. Following the detailed survey by specialist drainage consultants it had become apparent that the sewers were not in good condition and needed replacing in the near future. The only practical option available was to install new drainage and divert around the new STP. It was reported that this had impacted on the cost and timing of the project but had now been resolved to a satisfactory level with all parties involved.

It was further reported that the proposed siting had been given planning permission on 18 February 2004 and that the additional costs would be met by Children's Services, Policy and Resources and from the school itself.


Supplementary information was also circulated at the Panel meeting and forms an appendix to the report in the Minute Book.


RESOLVED:

That, subject to the resolution of outstanding technical and planning issues, the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that the scheme for the Cowplain Community School at an estimated cost of £755,000, excluding fees, be approved.

71 SOUTH EAST CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE (SECE) - BUILDING CONSTRUCTION WORK STREAM - PROGRESS REPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 10 in the Minute Book) detailing progress made to date with the SECE building construction workstream.

The Panel were advised that significant progress had been made towards the introduction of a new regional framework. The County Council's role was primarily to provide leadership to the workstream and the intellectual capacity on best practice and how local authorities can develop improve procurement practice. The Panel welcomed the involvement of the PBRS department and congratulated the Director and his team.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that the County Council's involvement in, and the progress made to date with the SECE building construction work stream, be approved.

72 MISCELLANEOUS APPROVALS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 11 in the Minute Book) concerning the development plans for Basing House and other additions/amendments to the Capital Repairs Budget.

Councillor M. J Woodhall declared a non prejudicial interest in this item relating to West Tytherley School.


RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that approval be given to;


(a) Use the capital receipt funding to produce a Conservation Management Pan for the restoration of Basing House.


(b) The additions/amendments to the capital repairs/NDS condition programmes as set out paragraph 3.1 to the report.


(c) Negotiating the contract for the installation of a new fire alarm system and emergency lighting at Copper Beeches Older Persons Home with either Prestige Fire Protection or Southern Fire Alarms Limited.

73 CORPORATE PROCUREMENT AND EFFICIENCY/SAVING TARGETS FOR 2006/07

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 12 in the Minute Book) updating Members on recent procurement activities, suggested corporate savings targets for 2006/07 and 2007/08 and a work programme for those years.

The Panel discussed in detail the electricity contract and street lighting arrangements. It was noted that this matter was being considered by Cabinet.


RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that approval be given to :


(a) Progress on the corporate procurement agenda.


(b) The proposed programme of work set out in the report and the estimates for cashable and non cashable benefits for 2006/07 and beyond.


(c) The development of a corporate strategy out of the issues raised in paragraphs 3.7 and 3.8 to the report to create further initiatives to reduce operating costs.


(d) The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services be authorised to conclude new contract arrangements for the supply of electricity to quarterly billed sites commencing April 2006.

74 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.

75 MAJOR PROJECTS UPDATE (CONFIDENTIAL)

The Panel considered the confidential report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 14(a) - (d) in the Minute Book) setting out the first of a regular report to the Panel concerning the following projects:

a. Ashburton Court

b. Enhanced nursing care

c. Merton Rise

d. Winchester Cultural Centre


[SUMMARY OF A CONFIDENTIAL MINUTE]

76 COUNTY COUNCIL LANDHOLDINGS IN THE BASINGSTOKE AREA - BASINGSTOKE AND DEANE LOCAL PLAN REVIEW INSPECTIONS REPORT (CONFIDENTIAL)

The Panel received a detailed presentation from the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services concerning proposed changes in the promotion of the County Council's landholding interests in the Basingstoke area through the local planning systems in the light of the recent inspector's report and the public inquiry into the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's proposed local plan. [SUMMARY OF A CONFIDENTIAL MINUTE]

77 BUSINESS SERVICES GROUP - BUSINESS PLANS 2006/07 (CONFIDENTIAL)

The Panel received presentations from the respective business managers and their individual business plans. [SUMMARY OF A CONFIDENTIAL MINUTE]