Hampshire County Council

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)

10 December 2007

Bordon Infant School

Report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

Bordon Infant School is located in Budds Lane, a residential area of Bordon. The school's net capacity is 266, with a current number on roll of 173 children (5-7 years).

1.2

Due to falling pupil numbers at the school, a decision was taken in 2006 to reduce the school's Published Admission Number (PAN) from 90 (three form entry) to 60 (two form entry). It is now proposed to reconfigure the school's accommodation to bring it in line with the new PAN. This will result in the equivalent of two class spaces becoming available for use by the on-site Children's Centre. Work to improve this space to meet the needs of the Children's Centre will be undertaken on completion of the works to the main body of the school.

1.3

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design of the proposed scheme at Bordon Infant School and the purpose of this report is to outline and seek approval to the design proposals.

1.4

The proposed scheme will maximise wellbeing and enhance the quality of place for all users of the school.

2

Recommendations

That approval be given to:

1. The proposals for the scheme at Bordon Infant School, at an estimated total cost of £500,000, excluding fees.

2. Negotiating a contract with Ralls Builders Ltd to complete the project.

3

Scope of the Works

3.1

There are currently four open plan classroom spaces at the school. It is now proposed to sub-divide three of these spaces to form six separate teaching areas. Suspended ceilings will be installed in these areas to improve the acoustic performance, together with lighting, redecoration and recarpeting works. A new corridor will be formed to assist circulation.

3.2

The fourth classroom space will be refurbished to provide further accommodation for the Chase Children's Centre, which is located to the north of the school. This includes the addition of an accessible toilet.

4

Funding and Timing

4.1

The funding for this scheme (excluding fees) is as follows: £'000

Children's Services Capital Programme 07/08 394

Sure Start Capital 07/08 86

SAI funding 07/08 20

Total 500

4.2

Subject to the necessary approvals, it is proposed to negotiate the scheme with an approved contractor with a view to works commencing on site during March 2008 and completing during September 2008.

5

Procurement

5.1

Subject to the approval of the Executive Member for Children's Services (Education), it is proposed to negotiate a contract with Ralls Builders Ltd to undertake work to reconfigure the existing teaching areas at Bordon Infant School and a package of works to the Chase Children's Centre. This will ensure that the project can be completed in time to meet the funding timescales.

5.2

The school will remain in use throughout the works and is part of the Children's Centre programme. It is therefore important to engage a contractor during the pre-construction stage of the project to plan the sequencing of the works and the programme in detail in order to minimise the disruption to the school.

6

Consultation with Local Member

6.1

Councillor Adam Carew, the local Member for this area, has been consulted on this proposal and he has confirmed that he is strongly supportive of the scheme..

Conclusion

The proposal will to reduce the school's building capacity so it is in line with their new published admission number and will facilitate the provision of additional accommodation for the Chase Children's Centre.

LINK(S) TO CORPORATE STRATEGY

Yes

No

Hampshire safer and more secure for all

_

Maximising well-being

_

Enhancing our quality of place

_

This proposal does not link to the Corporate Strategy but, nevertheless, requires a decision because: