Archived decisions

Title:

Major Projects Update (Part A) - Ashburton Court

- Children's Centre Strategy

Presented to:

Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel

Presented by:

Acting Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

Date:

13 January 2009

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 previous report to the Panel on 7 October 2008 summarised progress on the main construction project and the programme for completion; confirmed the key tasks within the re-occupation support activities; and updated 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 client management activities

· Summarises the construction cost forecast and the overall financial position

3.3

The construction project

3.3.1

Work is progressing to meet the contractor's current programme and it is anticipated that the second phase handover for re-occupation for North and West Blocks and the Podium will be achieved on 5 June 2009. The raised floors are complete in North and well advanced in West Block and the Podium works are progressing well.

3.3.2

The contractor has prepared their first proposal for the completion of the residual works around the loading bay/link with Elizabeth II Court and external works, taking approximately four months from sectional completion at the beginning of June 2009.

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.

3.3.4

The fit-out of the Data Centre will coincide with the completion of the Engineering Services commissioning at the beginning of June.

3.4

Re-occupation support activities

3.4.1

The client management activities to support the three occupying departments are being managed to programme, with the sign-off of the detailed furniture layouts achieved.

3.4.2

Developing a handover action plan with an integrated Facilities Management strategy is critical.

3.4.3

The review of the furniture supplier and the detailed specification has been concluded, and a business case determined the provision of new workstations in North and West with the re-use of existing furniture in Capital House.

3.5

Financial and Management Plan

3.5.1

The monthly financial report for the main construction project from the consultant quantity surveyor is still forecasting the contract to be on budget with approximately £400k of the contingency remaining, with a further sum set aside for risk.

3.5.2

The cost provision included to cover the mitigation programme in response to the early asbestos delays and the consequential impact in prolonging the contract period has been agreed with the contractor. This reflects well 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 also being kept closely under review to respect the approved budget 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:

· 22 complete

· 10 on site

· 4 progressing designs to tender / negotiating contracts

· 1 in feasibility

· 1 on hold

4.2

Of the 10 projects currently on site, it is anticipated that by mid January, 7 of the projects will have been completed, including the 5 remaining modular projects. Progress on site with the later modular projects has been improved compared to the earlier projects, with a number completing ahead of their contractual programme.

4.3

The outstanding legal agreements for the 3^rd party-owned sites are expected to be completed shortly, enabling the last three projects of this type to commence on site in January 2009. Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) slippage approval has been granted for these projects, which are now anticipated to complete between April and June 2009.

4.4

The site selection process for the remaining 25 Children's Centres to be established under Phase III is underway. These Centres will cover those areas of Hampshire not already served by a dedicated Children's Centre from Phases I and II. Feasibility studies are in hand where potential sites have been identified, with agreement to the locations expected to be concluded with the respective host organisations early in 2009. Subject to the conclusion of the site selection exercise and the type and size of projects emerging, these 25 further Children's Centres schemes are anticipated to complete during the latter part of 2009 and 2010.

4.5

Manufacture is underway for the two mobile Children's Centres service vehicles that are being procured through Hampshire Transport Management. These are scheduled to be in service by March 2009.

4.6

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