Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)

10 December 2007

Portchester Community School

Report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

Portchester Community is a comprehensive school for 11 to 16 year olds located in a residential area at White Hart Lane. The school capacity is 860 and there are 826 pupils currently in attendance. The school is a fully resourced school for physically disabled pupils and in order for effective curriculum delivery, a large number of these pupils access the first floor of the main teaching building. The school lies within a residential area in the heart of Portchester and is bounded by housing on all sides.

1.2

Following a fire safety risk assessment it was concluded that a fire evacuation lift should be constructed to serve the south side of the quadrangle, where the escape route is unsatisfactory. It is also proposed to carry out internal access and fire precautions works.

1.3

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

1.4

The proposed scheme will maximise wellbeing, enhance the quality of place and improve safety for all users of the building.

2

Recommendation

That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) approves the proposals for the scheme at Portchester Community School, at an estimated total cost of £345,000, excluding fees.

3

Scope of the Works

3.1

The lift shaft will be of a brick construction to complement the existing building and the lift will be capable of accommodating two wheelchair users and their assistants.

3.2

Fire precautions works will be carried out throughout the building and will include new fire doors, fire barriers and smoke detection system.

3.3

School Access Initiative (SAI) works will also be carried out throughout the school and will include the refurbishment and enlargement of two existing accessible toilets, the installation of automatic doors, the widening of internal doorways, rise and fall units within the food tech and art room areas and other associated works.

4

Funding and Timing

4.1

The following funding, excluding fees, is available for this scheme:

£

Children's Services Capital Programme 2007/08 (SAI) 80,000

Children's Services 200,000

NDS Fire Precaution Budget 2007/08 65,000

345,000

4.2

It is anticipated that the works will be tendered during January 2008, will commence on site during April 2008 and be completed during August 2008.

5

Consultation with Local Member

5.1

Councillor Roger Price, the local Member for this area, has been consulted on this proposal and has commented:

"This is an excellent school providing education for physically disabled pupils as well as other pupils, with the first floor it is always a worry for staff to get pupils out if an emergency occurred, therefore I fully support the proposed work which will make the school much safer for everybody.   Also as a community school it is used in the evening and again it will be safer for those using the school in the evening especially if they are in a wheelchair."

Conclusion

The proposed scheme will improve accessibility and fire safety for all users of the building.

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: