Archived decisions

Title:

Major Projects Update - Ashburton Court

- Children's Centres

- Carfax Site

Presented to:

Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel

Presented by:

Acting Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

Date:

7 October 2008

Distributed to:

Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel

Method:

Information section on agenda

Contact name:

Steve Clow

Tel:

Ext. 7858

Email:

[email protected]

3.1

The report to the Panel in July 2008 summarised progress on the main construction project and the programme for completion, confirmed the re-occupation and associated asset management strategy for Phase 2 with the key dates for occupation, and updated Members on the latest financial forecast.

3.2

This update provides:

· Progress with the construction works and the contractor's programme

· Confirms the fit-out and reoccupation programme for Phase 2 and the works being undertaken in support

· Summarises the construction cost forecast and actions completed to manage the overall financial position

3.3

The construction project

3.3.1

Work is progressing to meet the contractor's current programme. The second phase handover (North and West Blocks and the Podium) scheduled for 5 June 2009 is being maintained despite adverse weather conditions delaying the roof finish of West Block, and affecting progress with associated activities.

3.3.2

The contractor has re-scheduled the work and HBG Construction anticipate the cladding to West Block being completed by the end of October 2008.

3.3.3

The occupation strategy will continue as successfully delivered for East Block, providing fully integrated buildings (with Fixed Furniture Equipment and IT) at handover, with staff moves programmed during July and August 2009. The residual works to the existing loading bay, link to Elizabeth II Court and external works are being discussed with the contractor.

3.4

Re-occupation support activities

3.4.1

Members were updated in July on client management activities to support the three occupying departments, and key stages for the space planning and Fixed Furniture Equipment work streams.

3.4.2

The detailed exercise for space planning requiring departmental co-ordination is well advanced and floor layouts will be agreed in November 2008. Initial Fixed Furniture Equipment analysis and a review of procurement for North and West Blocks is also underway.

3.4.3

The detailed work for integrating more staff into East Block has commenced with Children's Services, and adjustments to their operational layouts has commenced.

3.5

Financial and Management Plan

3.5.1

The monthly financial report for the main construction project from the consultant quantity surveyor is forecasting the contract to be on budget.

3.5.2

The cost provision included to cover the mitigation programme in response to the early asbestos delays and the consequential impact on the contract period has been agreed with the contractor. This reflects well on the collaborative approach expected of a Framework Contractor. Other unforeseen matters to complete the major element of the project over a tight programme are being managed in a proactive and transparent way.

3.5.3

3.5.4

The pressures on the budget arising from the decanting programme and project arrangements to accommodate the overall development works are being kept closely under review to respect the approved project allowance.

The project remains financially on target and within the £40m Capital Programme budget.

4.1

Progress on the 38 Phase II capital works schemes to be procured can be summarised as follows:

· 12 complete

· 13 on site

· 11 progressing designs to tender / negotiating contracts

· 1 in feasibility

· 1 no longer requiring capital works

4.2

Eight modular projects are complete, with their Children's Centres now fully operational. Five modular projects are on site, with a remaining three scheduled to start shortly. Concerns with the performance of the modular supplier sub-contractor were reported to Members in July. The supplier's performance is now improving and the remaining modular projects are expected to complete to a re-scheduled programme, with the last modular-built Centre due to become operational in February 2009. The most recent Children's Centre in Gosport was completed on the contractual re-scheduled date with no further delays. At the time of writing this report all current projects on site or planned to commence soon are on target.

4.3

Four traditional-built projects are complete, with a further eight expected to complete within the next few months. Negotiations of the legal agreements required for three of the projects in 3^rd party owned buildings have yet to be concluded which will delay the start on site of these projects. These difficulties have in turn affected the sequence of delivery of other projects, with the last five projects now likely to complete in April 2009. Funding slippage approval will be obtained for these projects from Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

4.4

The two mobile Children's Centres service vehicles which were procured through Hampshire Transport Management are due to be manufactured shortly.

4.5

The Children's Centres programme remains financially on target.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report. (NB: the list excludes published works and any documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.)

None