Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the BUILDINGS, LAND AND PROCUREMENT PANEL of the County Council held at The Castle, Winchester on 4 April 2006.

Councillors:

p M.J. Woodhall (Chairman)

Councillor J.K. West was also in attendance.

78 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.

79 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 24 January 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. A vote of thanks was given to HC3S for taking on the management of Applemore College.

80 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported that visits to a range of projects would be organised for June/July 2006 and that Members would be advised of the arrangements in due course.

81 DEPUTATIONS

No deputations were made under this item.

82 PROJECT APPRAISAL - REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS TO CHURCH END GREEN, YATELEY

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) detailing a project appraisal for environmental improvements to Church End Green, Yateley, including improvements to Reading Road, pedestrian footpath, the village green, lighting and other general improvements.

The local Ward Member, Councillor D. Simpson attended the meeting and made supporting representations. The Committee warmly welcomed the proposals which would improve access to local services by the community, provide opportunities to enhance the local distinctiveness of the settlement and create a sense of entry into the village centre.

The Panel were informed that discussions were underway with the Parish Council and other community groups including local traders with a view to improving the north side of Reading Road and incorporating it into a second phase of the project appraisal.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that the project appraisal for environmental improvements for Church End Green, Yateley, including improvements to Reading Road, pedestrian footpaths, the village green, lighting and other general improvements, at an estimated cost of £677,000, be approved.

83 FRAMEWORK CONTRACT : PROJECT INTEGRA - DOOR STEPPING ACTIVITIES AS PART OF BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ON RECYCLING

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) concerning an extension to the existing framework contract for delivery of monitoring and door stepping work over a two year period, with the option to extend for a further year, up to the maximum value of £1.5m.

The Panel were advised that in delivering the behavioural change strategy during 2006 the spending limit has been reached because the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), which funded the previous door stepping programme, imposed additional monitoring requirements. It was noted that there was a prospect of additional funding from WRAP for delivery of the behaviour change strategy for a further 2 years, and if successful, further door stepping would be programmed.

The Panel welcomed the framework contract and requested that the results of the door stepping activities be reported back to the Panel in due course.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment:- South Hampshire and Resource Management be advised that a framework contract be awarded for delivery of monitoring and door stepping work over a 2 year period, with the option to extend for a further year, up to a maximum value of £1.5m, to operate on similar lines to the previous framework contract.

84 HIGHFIELD HOUSE, BISHOPSTOKE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) detailing a project appraisal for extensions and alterations to Highfield House, Bishopstoke, a residential respite unit that provided care for up to five adults with learning disabilities.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that the design project appraisal for Highfield House, at an estimated cost of £431,000, excluding fees, be approved.

85 CURDRIDGE PRIMARY SCHOOL

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 9 in the Minute Book) detailing a project appraisal for two classrooms, group/special needs room and a library extension.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that the project appraisal for the scheme at the Curdridge Primary School at an estimated cost of £643,000, excluding fees, be approved.

86 HARDLEY SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM, HOLBURY

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 10 in the Minute Book) detailing a project appraisal for a new four-court Sports Hall and changing facilities.

The Panel were advised that the new Sports Hall would be located to the rear of the school site, overlooking the playing fields. The proposed location would utilise the existing open air swimming pool site, minimising encroachment onto existing school land. It was noted that the pool would be decommissioned as it was no longer functional and a new landscaped courtyard area would be formed over the infilled pool. It was noted that for some time arrangements had been in place for swimming lessons in other locations nearby.

In considering this item, the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services advised that throughout Hampshire a number of swimming pools on school sites would need to be decommissioned and that a full report would be submitted to the Panel in due course.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that the project appraisal for a new Sports Hall at Hardley School and Sixth Form, at an estimated cost of £1,938,000 excluding fees, be approved.

87 MICHELDEVER CE PRIMARY SCHOOL, MICHELDEVER

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 11 in the Minute Book) detailing a scheme to replace the temporary buildings with three purpose-built classrooms and a new hall.

The local Ward Member, Councillor Mrs. J. Porter, made supporting representations about this scheme and highlighted the shortfall in land at the school and the real challenge ahead for ensuring health and safety requirements were met on the school site whilst works were underway. She also informed the Panel that the sewage arrangements were being looked into and it was anticipated that a connection to the Winchester City Council sewage site would be made in due course.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that the project appraisal for the scheme at Micheldever CE Primary School at an estimated cost of £1,815,000, excluding fees, be approved.

88 PORTCHESTER COMMUNITY SCHOOL, FAREHAM

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 12 in the Minute Book) detailing a scheme to provide improved fire evacuation facilities, refurbished and upgraded science laboratories and a new performance space by way of internal alterations. In addition, the scheme would also provide improved accessibility around the site and car parking facilities.

It was noted that the school was a fully resourced school for physically disabled pupils with approximately 10-15 pupils in attendance at the school with physical disabilities.

In response to the local ward member's concerns about the programme of works , the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services reported that an earlier start and completion date was not possible as much of the work was timed to coincide with the start of the school summer holiday.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that the Portchester Community School scheme at an estimated cost of £699,032, excluding fees, be approved.

89 WYVERN TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE, FAIR OAK

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 13 in the Minute Book) detailing a scheme to provide enhanced vehicular and pedestrian circulation which would improve site safety and accessibility at the Campus.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that the Wyvern Technology College scheme at an estimated cost of £533,599, excluding fees, be approved.

90 STRATEGY FOR THE BUILT ESTATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 14 in the Minute Book) identifying the key objectives against the strategy for the built estate for the coming financial year and against this framework set out the proposals for the revenue maintenance, capital repairs and New Deal for Schools (NDS) fund. The report also considered the implementation of a strategic property review which was approved by Cabinet on 27 February 2006.

RESOLVED:

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

(a) Adoption of the Strategy and Objectives for 2006/07;


(b) A further report being presented to the Panel on 6 June 2006 on how to address the maintenance liabilities across the estate, particularly those associated with the non-education sector;


(c) Proposals relating to the distribution of the capital repairs contingency towards Corporate Risk Assessment areas of work due to be submitted to the Panel on 6 June 2006;


(d) Progress on the new Service Level Agreement with schools due to be presented in October to be submitted to the Panel on 6 June 2006;


(e) Further reports on the strategic property review to submitted to future meetings of the Panel.

91 CAPITAL REPAIRS 2005/06 AND 2006/07

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 15 in the Minute Book) concerning the level of commitment against 2005/06 allocations, outlining the main budget issues for 2006/07 and beyond and seeking approval to the proposed budget allocations for 2006/07 and for the addition of schemes to the programme of capital repairs in 2006/07.

RESOLVED:

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


(a) The level of budgetary commitment in 2005/06.


(b) The proposed allocation of the 2006/07 capital repairs budget.


(c) The proposed re-profiling of resources between 2007/08 and 2009/10.


(d) The additions to the capital repairs programme detailed in appendix 4 to the report.

92 REVENUE REPAIRS BUDGET 2005/06 AND 2006/07

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 16 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the revenue budget position for 2005/06 and confirming the budget allocation for 2006/07.

RESOLVED:

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

(a) Any uncommitted element of the winter contingency being carried forward to 2006/07.


(b) The budget allocation for 2006/07 as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

93 NEW DEAL FOR SCHOOLS (NDS) (CONDITION) FUNDING 2006/07 AND 2007/08

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 17 in the Minute Book) outlining progress made against the current NDS programme for 2005/06, which was considered by the Panel in April 2005 seeking agreement to proceed with a further programme of NDS condition projects for 2006/07.

In considering the report, discussion focused on table 2 on page 3 of the report concerning the replacement of boilers, heating and hot water systems. It was suggested that a further update be submitted to a future meeting of the Panel.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that the priorities and programmes for the NDS Condition Fund for 2006/07 as detailed in appendix 1 to the report be approved.

94 PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 18 in the Minute Book) summarising the actions taken during 2005/06 and setting out a number of procurement objectives for 2006/07 and beyond.

RESOLVED:

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

95 ASHBURTON COURT - PROGRESS REPORT - KEY ISSUES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 19 in the Minute Book) identifying the key issues on this project and outlining how the project will develop given its importance in scale.

The Panel considered that a small working group should be set up to advise the Executive Member for Policy and Resources on any issues associated with this project.

RESOLVED:

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

(a) That a small working group comprising the following Members be set up to consider specific issues associated with this project;

Councillors:
M.J . Woodhall (Chairman)

R.J. Baulk

B.D. Dash
C.R.H. Davidovitz

Jo Kelly
J. Maxwell

A. Weeks


(b) That a presentation on the key issues be made to the Panel on 11 July 2006.


(c) That the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services be authorised to work on the issues set out in Section three to the report.

96 MAJOR PROJECTS UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 20 in the Minute Book) highlighting key issues with the following schemes:

· Merton Rise/Everest Community College

· Nursing Care Accommodation (Enhance)

· Winchester Discovery Centre


RESOLVED:

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


(a) Progress with Milton Rise/Everest Community College, Nursing Care Accommodation and Winchester Discovery Centre be approved and that further reports be submitted to the Panel as the schemes develop.


(b) The implications of the review of work to the final two refurbishment schemes at Westholme Older Persons' Home, Winchester and Emsworth House, be reported to the Panel on 6 June 2006.

97 COUNTY SUPPLIES - CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 21 in the Minute Book) detailing the expected programme of contracting activity to be undertaken by County Supplies and the Corporate Procurement Team for the period through to September 2007.

Discussion focused on the award of contract for the supply of electricity to small sites. It was noted that preparations were underway to transfer the contract to E.ON.UK, the lowest tenderer, at an increased cost of some 85%. The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services reported that the previous contract for the supply of electricity to small sites had been negotiated at the bottom of the electricity market. However, prices had substantially increased since that time and the contract was now being tendered at the top of the electricity market. The Panel were also advised that domestic electricity bills had increased on average by some 20% over the last two to three years.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised that the forthcoming contracts for the period up to September 2007 as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

98 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public were excluded for the remainder of the meeting.

99 BASING VIEW, BASINGSTOKE - REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSALSAFFECTING COUNTY COUNCIL OWNED LAND (EXEMPT)

The Panel considered the confidential report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 23 in the Minute Book) concerning the possible inclusion of County Council owned land within a major development town centre regeneration scheme in Basingstoke and seeking approval to negotiate with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and prospective developers on the planning design and heads of term for the inclusion of any County Council land and property within the project and provision of a revised highway layout. [SUMMARY OF AN EXEMPT MINUTE]

100 CHINEHAM ENERGY RECOVERY FACILITY - ARCHITECTURAL ENHANCEMENT

The Panel considered the exempt report of the Director of Environment, County Treasurer and Chief Executive (Item 24 in the Minute Book) concerning the recommendations made by the Conciliator in respect of costs due to Hampshire Waste Services as a result of the architectural enhancement of the Chineham Energy Recovery Facility. [SUMMARY OF AN EXEMPT MINUTE]