Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the BUILDINGS, LAND AND PROCUREMENT PANEL of the County Council held at The Castle, Winchester on 23 January 2007.

Councillors:

p M.J. Woodhall (Chairman)

151 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R. J. Baulk and A. Weeks.

152 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. No declarations of interest were made under this item.

153 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

154 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's Communications made under this item.

155 DEPUTATIONS

No deputations had been notified under Standing Order 21.

156 EXTENSION TO THE TERM CONTRACT FOR THE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT (JULY 2008 - JULY 2009)

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) concerning a proposal to extend for one year, the period of the current term contract for the installation and maintenance of traffic signals and associated equipment.

It was reported that the current contractor, Siemens' Traffic Control Ltd, was awarded the contract in July 2003 following a competitive tendering exercise. During this period its performance had been continuously assessed using a number of key performance indicators (KPIs). Overall, performance had met or exceeded the targets specified for performance. The five year contract was due to expire in July 2008 and provision existed in the current contract to extend the contract annually up to a maximum of 3 years to July 2011. The Panel were advised that a decision was needed to either give notice of the intention to terminate the contract, or to extend the contract.

The Panel noted the concerns of the contractor about the impact of escalating steel prices on its profitability but considered that it was beneficial to extend the contract term for one year.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised to approve the proposal to extend for one year the period of the current term contract for the installation and maintenance of traffic signals and associated equipment.

157 ROMSEY PRIMARY SCHOOL

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book ) detailing a project appraisal for an extension and remodelling to provide a new purpose built primary school and Children's Centre in Romsey.

Furthermore, it was added that as well as providing comprehensive facilities for children and families, the plans included innovative proposals for an eco-friendly wind turbine on the site which would generate renewable energy. It was noted that planning permission would need to be obtained for the turbine which, due the nature of the site being surrounded by trees would need to be high enough to reach the sustained wind speeds needed to generate electricity to power the school. If erected on the site, the turbine would start generating revenue savings of around 40% of the energy consumption of the new extensions as well as reduce the carbon emissions from the site.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised to approve the design project appraisal for Romsey Primary School, at an estimated cost of £2,852,000, excluding fees.

158 CADLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL, HOLBURY

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 the amalgamation of Holbury Junior and Infant Schools to form a new 420 place primary school, to be known as Cadland Primary School and also incorporating a Children's Centre.

The supporting comments of Councillor L. Dunsdon, the local member for the area were reported at the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised to approve the design project appraisal for the scheme at Cadland Primary School (the former Holbury Junior School) at an estimated cost of £2,202,000, excluding fees.

159 KINGS WORTHY PRIMARY SCHOOL, WINCHESTER

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 an extension to provide five classrooms, a resource area, music room, technology room, deputy Headteacher's office, accessible WC and a Special Educational Need (SEN) room at this school.

The Panel warmly welcomed the proposals as the current accommodation was not sufficiently adequate to deliver.


RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised to approve the design project appraisal for Kings Worthy Primary School, at an estimated cost of £1,365,000, excluding fees.

160 NEW DEAL FOR SCHOOLS (NDS) MODERNISATION (CONDITION) PROGRAMMES AND FUNDING FOR 2006/07 AND 2007/08

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 10 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the allocation of NDS Condition funding for the 2006/07 and 2007/08 financial years, the proposed priorities for the allocation of 2007/08 NDS Condition Funding and a proposed enhanced level of NDS Capital Repairs Programmes for schools for 2007/08.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised to approve:

(a) The enhanced programme of NDS Capital Repairs for 2007/08 following the confirmation of additional funding from the DfES.


(b) The allocation of NDS Condition projects as detailed in Appendices 2 and 3 to the report.


(c) Completing the major roofing work at Hook Junior and Infant School and to procure the works as a negotiated tender with the framework contractor, Mansells.


(d) Including the boiler replacement work at Oak Meadow School in the NDS Programme for 2006/07.

161 ASSET MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR SCHOOL SWIMMING POOLS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 11 in the Minute Book ) highlighting the key elements of the proposed policy changes for the delivery of Key Stage 2 swimming in Hampshire schools and drawing attention to an Asset Management Strategy for the future provision of school swimming pools.

The Panel were advised that the existing number, utilisation and arrangement of school swimming pools did not represent best value in asset management terms. The liability for the existing 62 school pools was unsustainably high at £27m and when viewed in the context of the whole liability for the schools estate was unaffordable.

Whilst appreciating the reasoning behind the asset management approach, Members expressed concern that any reduction in the number of school pools supported by the County Council may adversely impact on the local community. It was therefore suggested that during the consultation exercise a full audit of the community pools and their availability and usage be undertaken.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised to approve:


(a) Developing a strategic approach to the provision of school swimming pools following the consultation exercise with schools, taking into account a full audit of the community pools, their availability and usage.


(b) Completing further detailed costs/feasibility work to test the viability of the proposed strategy.


(c) Issuing to schools with swimming pools further health and safety advice to support them in achieving the required standard of health and safety management, pending the outcome of the consultation process.

162 CORPORATE PROCUREMENT UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 12 in the Minute Book) detailing progress on the corporate procurement action plan and the programme of departmental procurement reviews.

The Panel were advised that the procurement agenda continued to be very diverse and was characterised by a wide range of initiatives. It was noted that good progress had been made against the National Procurement Strategy for Local Government and the revised Corporate Procurement Strategy had been launched effectively. The team had also delivered cashable savings in excess of £0.5m for the departments and a similar amount in non-cashable savings. It was further noted that some projects were not running as quickly as anticipated. Discussions were underway about the size and focus of the review programme and about the next steps in developing procurement capacity and leadership within the County Council.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised to approve the progress on the corporate procurement action plan and on the programme of departmental procurement reviews.

163 MAJOR PROJECTS UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 13 in the Minute Book) highlighting key issues with the following schemes:

· Merton Rise/Everest Community College

· Winchester Discovery Centre

· Ashburton Court


RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised to approve:


(a) The progress being made with the Merton Rise development and the disposal strategy for the next major phase of work be reported to this Panel in Spring 2007.


(b) The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services bringing forward a report on the marketing of the redundant HQ building in North Walls, Winchester, and the overall cost of the Discovery Centre project.


(c) The action taken to begin the refurbishment of Ashburton Court.

164 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That, in relation to the items set out in Minutes 165 to 167 below, the press and public were excluded from the meeting as it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that if members of the public were present during the items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within paragraph 3 of Part 1 to Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the three reports concerned.

165 BUSINESS SERVICES GROUP - BUSINESS PLANS 2007-08

The Panel considered the exempt report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 15 in the Minute Book) detailing the business plans for:

_ Catering Services (HC3S)

_ County Supplies

_ Hampshire Transport Management (HTM)

_ Hampshire Printing Services (HPS)

[SUMMARY OF AN EXEMPT MINUTE]

166 LAND AT PARK HOUSE FARM WAY, HAVANT

The Panel considered the exempt report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 16 in the Minute Book ) concerning an offer for the sale of two hectares (14.9 acres) of housing development land on the former Parkhouse School Site, Park House Farm Way, Leigh Park, Havant.

[SUMMARY OF AN EXEMPT MINUTE]

167 LAND AT CHESTNUT AVENUE, ADJOINING NIGHTINGALE PRIMARY SCHOOL, EASTLEIGH

The Panel considered the exempt report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 17 in the Minute Book refers) concerning the disposal of 0.9 hectare of residential development land adjoining Nightingale Primary School and the new Avery Early Years Centre, following the marketing of the site.

[SUMMARY OF AN EXEMPT MINUTE]