Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area:

1.1. This report seeks approval to the design proposal for a single-storey extension to form a specialist resource provision centre at Crofton School, Stubbington.

2) Issues Covered in Report:

The following areas are outlined in this report:

2.1. Although funding for the project has already been approved this report outlines the estimated costs and sources of funding.

2.2. Any significant issues from either the Risk or Combined Impact Assessment which will need to have specific attention in the design or implementation of this project.

2.3. The detail of the proposed design is laid out for approval.

3) Recommendations:

3.1. That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) approves the design for the proposed extension at Crofton School, Stubbington, at an estimated total cost of £830,000 (including fees of £117,500).

MAIN REPORT

1) Scope of Work:

1.1. To construct a single-storey extension to provide specialist resource accommodation for 12 Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) pupils and associated staff.

2) Contextual Information:

2.1. Crofton School is a mainstream foundation school located at Marks Road, Stubbington, Fareham, that caters for 11-16 year old pupils. The School's capacity is 1,119 and there are currently 1,035 pupils on roll. The proposal will provide 12 specialist places at the school.

2.2. There is resourced mainstream provision for secondary school aged pupils with ASD in the north and west of the county (Robert May's School and Romsey School). The proposals within this report seek to address the need for a similar provision in the southeast.

2.3. The scheme will be procured via a traditional tender route. It is anticipated that tenders will be invited during June 2009, works will commence on site during September 2009 and be completed during July 2010.

2.4. The Acting Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design proposals for the scheme at Crofton School and the purpose of this report it to outline and seek approval to the proposals.

2.5. The proposed scheme will maximise wellbeing by providing specialist support for young people with severe ASD needs. The proposal also supports the following outcomes of Every Child Matters: enjoy and achieve; making a positive contribution; achieve economic wellbeing.

3) Finance:

3.1. Capital Expenditure:

a) The Capital Expenditure has already been approved; the following tables outline the breakdown its distribution across the project:

Sources of Funding:

b) Building Cost:

Net Cost = £2,616 per m²

Gross Cost = £3,481 per m²

c) Furniture & Equipment:

There is no separate F & E allocation for this scheme - any requirement will be taken from the scheme funding.

3.2. Revenue Issues:

a) Overview of Revenue Implications:

Please Note: The overall level of the revenue budget for funding schools will (from April 2006) be prescribed by central government, and capital projects have no bearing on the level of this budget. Therefore, this proposed project will have no bearing on the overall level of the Children's Services budget, extra costs and savings being met from the same overall schools' funding level.

b) Energy Costs:

The estimated annual energy consumption for the new accommodation will meet that required by current Building Regulations.

4) Risk & Impact Issues:

Please see Appendix B for a summary of the risk and impact issues considered in relation to the design of this project.

5) Details of site and existing Infrastructure:

5.1. The area for the proposed extension is currently occupied by a redundant workshop building which is to be demolished. The site area is restricted by existing access roads to the south and east, with the main school plant room block and service areas to the west.

5.2. The original school building is of SCOLA construction, dating from the late 1960s/early 1970s.

5.3. Initial enquiries indicate that existing boiler plant, on-site services, storm and foul drainage should have sufficient capacity for the proposed extension. Historic problems with overloading of the storm water drainage during periods of excessive rainfall are currently being investigated.

6) Scope of the Project:

The single-storey extension will provide the following accommodation:

· entrance lobby

· office/reception area

· one large teaching space - to subdivide into two separate areas

· `retreat' areas off teaching space(s)

· group room with kitchenette facility

· student toilets/shower facility plus one accessible staff/student toilet

· sensory room

· secure external garden/courtyard

· parking and drop-off/pick-up area

7) The Proposed Building:

7.1. The accommodation is arranged to address a south-facing sensory garden/courtyard. The main teaching area and group room open onto a secure courtyard area. A covered loggia provides external pupil access to a detached sensory room and also provides a sheltered access link to the drop-off/pick-up area to the south.

7.2. The main teaching area opens onto the courtyard to the south and can be subdivided by an acoustic moveable wall. Due to the orientation of the room, shading and/or blinds will be incorporated to reduce glare and summer solar gain.

7.3. The group room opens onto the courtyard to the west and is proportioned to allow flexible use for small/medium sized groups and incorporates kitchenette for parent and/or staff meetings.

8) External Works:

8.1. The sensory garden/courtyard is intended to act as a break-out play space. Sensory elements such as tactile panels/materials, a water-wall feature and seating will be incorporated. Walls and screens will be of an appropriate height to provide security from both sides. Controlled access gates will be provided to the south (pupil entrance) and west (potential horticulture area). A detached sensory room is located to the southwest corner, accessed via a covered loggia.

8.2. It is anticipated that the external walls of the extension will be of render finish, with large aluminium glazed screens providing daylight and ventilation to the teaching areas and group room and high-performance roof. The entrance canopy will welcome visitors via an entry `slot' abutting the existing stair tower.

8.3. Subject to funding, it is also proposed to reclad the stair tower with a render finish and to incorporate uplighting and graphics to provide a `beacon', unify the extension with the main building and enhance the main school entrance approach.

9) Planning:

A detailed planning application will be submitted during March 2009.

10) Building Management:

Existing arrangements will apply to cleaning, catering, local management and maintenance arrangements.

11) Professional Resources:

Mechanical and Electrical - TBC

Quantity Surveying - Property, Business and Regulatory

Structural Engineering - TBC

Architectural - Property, Business and Regulatory

12) Consultations:

12.1. The following have been consulted during the development of this project and any feedback can be seen in overview in Appendix A:


· Headteacher and Governors of School

· Children's Services Department

· Environment Department

· Fire Officer

· Access Officer

· Local County Councillor

· Police Authority

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Appendix A

FEEDBACK FROM CONSULTEES:

OTHER EXECUTIVE MEMBERS:

OTHER FORMAL CONSULTEES:

Appendix B

RISK & COMBINED IMPACT ASSESSMENT:

Race and Equality Impact assessment

Race and equality impact assessment has been considered in the development of this report and no adverse impact has been identified.

Crime prevention issues

The County Council has a legal obligation under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to consider the impact of all the decisions it makes on the prevention of crime. The proposals in this report have no impact on the prevention of crime. The Project Officer has met with the Police and no issues were identified.

Fire risk assessment

In consultation with the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, a fire risk assessment concludes that this is a low fire risk category building. Therefore a sprinkler system will not be installed.

Health and safety

A designer's risk assessment and a design health and safety plan, in accordance

with the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007, have been undertaken for the proposed scheme.

Climate Change

The proposals seek to provide a compact and energy-efficient building envelope. Where possible, appropriate sustainable materials will be employed to reduce the environmental impact of the proposals. The building will be super-insulated with an external insulation/render 'jacket' and robust high thermal mass inner walls to control internal comfort conditions, in particular during summer months. Daylighting levels will be maximised and energy-efficient lighting used throughout, with daylight sensors to reduce energy use. Careful consideration will be given to rainwater attenuation and/or harvesting to minimise impact on the existing storm water drainage system.