Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the BUILDINGS, LAND AND PROCUREMENT PANEL of the County Council held at The Castle, Winchester on 2 October 2007.

Councillors:

p M.J. Woodhall (Chairman)

209 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R.J. Baulk, A D. G. . Evans and D.A. Kirk.

210 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

All Members who believe they have a personal or prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that 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 is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Code. The declaration should be made at the time of the relevant debate.

211 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

212 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

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

213 DEPUTATIONS

No deputations had been notified under Standing Order 21.

214 STRATEGY FOR THE BUILT ESTATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 6 in the Minute Book) reviewing progress with the strategy for the built estate and the framework against which revenue and New Deal for Schools (NDS) funds are determined. Particular reference was made to the strategic property review of office accommodation. It was noted that a detailed report would be submitted to Cabinet and the Panel would also receive a report as part of the major projects review.

The Panel were also advised that through South East Centre of Excellence (SECE), Reading Borough Council wished to commission the department to provide design services for a major programme of work comprising 11 projects with an approximate value of £20m. A Shared Services Agreement was currently being finalised. The Panel warmly welcomed this news and congratulated the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services and his staff on this achievement.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources note the progress made against the Strategy for the Built Estate and the SECE programme.

215 REVENUE AND CAPITAL REPAIRS 2007/08 - SIX MONTHLY REVIEW

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on current issues and changes in the programme of revenue and capital repairs and New Deal for Schools (NDS) funding, including details of changes in the way allocations will be made from 2008/09 onwards.

RESOLVED:

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

a. The proposed re-profiling of the Policy and Resources capital

repairs budget between 2007/08 and 2008/09

b. The additions to the capital repairs and NDS Condition Fund programmes as indicated in paragraph 4.1.

216 MAJOR PROJECTS UPDATE:

¬ ASHBURTON COURT

¬ MERTON RISE

¬ EVEREST COMMUNITY COLLEGE

¬ CHILDREN'S CENTRES

¬ WINCHESTER DISCOVERY CENTRE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) highlighting key issues with the schemes identified above.

In respect of the Winchester Discovery Centre, it was noted that the Centre would be open on 27 November 2007 with the formal opening taking place in spring 2008.

RESOLVED:

a. That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised to approve progress on all the major projects including the adjustment to the North Block of Ashburton Court which will increase the utilisation of the proposed building.

b. That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised to give approval to the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services reviewing the liabilities associated with the outturn costs for the sprinkler installation at the Winchester Discover Centre.

217 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That in relation to the following items the public be excluded from the meeting, as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, 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 of Schedule 12A to 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 reports.

218 PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES

The Panel considered the exempt report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on various issues relating to the procurement of major schemes for primary schools, children's centres and education centres and South East Centre of Excellence schemes. [SUMMARY OF AN EXEMPT MINUTE]