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 the conversion of Meadowlands Junior School, Waterlooville, to form a one-form entry primary school, known as Woodcroft Primary School.

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 Panel advises the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that the design for the proposed conversion scheme at Meadowlands Junior School, Waterlooville, at an estimated total cost of £2,258,000 (including fees of £313,000), be approved.

MAIN REPORT

1) Scope of Work:

It is proposed to refurbish the existing junior school building to form a one form entry (1FE) primary school with pre-school provision. The existing infant school building will be retained during the construction period and demolished on completion. A new football pitch will be formed on the footprint of the infant building/playground area.

2) Contextual Information:

2.1. Meadowlands Infant and Junior Schools were constructed in 1968 and extended to three form entry in 1971, with roll numbers of 270 and 360 pupils respectively. A decline in numbers to 78 and 130 pupils has led to a decision to form a 1FE primary school, to be known as Woodcroft Primary School, from 4 April 2009 (Executive Lead Member for Children's Services Education - 11 October 2007).

2.2. The junior school building is to be retained as it offers approximately the correct area for a 1FE primary school with pre-school provision.

2.3. In order to facilitate the refurbishment of the junior school building, it will be necessary for the whole school to occupy the infant school building for the duration of the works. On completion, the infant school building will be demolished and a new junior sized football pitch will be constructed.

2.4. The Executive Member for Policy and Resources gave approval in September 2008 to dispose of the residual site to the southeast of the school building and part of existing play area in due course. Negotiations are continuing with the landowner/developer to the northeast regarding possible future access to their site and suitable reprovision of an external play area.

2.5. The project is being procured through a mini competition through the IESE tier 2 framework. It is anticipated that work will commence on site during July 2009 and be completed during August 2010.

2.6. The Acting Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design of the refurbishment scheme to form a 1FE primary school and the purpose of this report is to outline and seek approval to the proposals.

2.7. The proposed scheme will maximise wellbeing and enhance the quality of place for all users of the School by providing a remodelled and refurbished primary school building.

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:

* The means by which the difference between the Current Estimate and the Capital Programme allocation is to be met are shown in the table below:

3.2. Sources of Funding:

Building Cost:


Net Cost ) refurbishment and alterations, thus not applicable

Gross Cost )

a) Furniture & Equipment:

In addition to the above, a further allocation of £100,000 has been made for F&E from the school's devolved formula capital.

3.3. 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. The anticipated energy cost for the year is £10,000 (£6 per square metre), with 72 tonnes of CO².

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 existing combined school site area is 2.68 ha (6.63 acres) and falls roughly into two halves: the upper area of the site is occupied by the school buildings and playgrounds on an area of approximately 1.35 ha (3.34 acres), and the lower area of grass and playing fields amounts to a further 1.33 ha (3.29 acres).

5.2. The majority of the site boundary is characterised by mature trees with some undergrowth. There are some additional trees around the site, a central terraced area with a pergola and some planting beds adjacent to the buildings. These features will remain virtually unaffected as the building footprint remains the same.

5.3. The junior school building is of SCOLA construction. The majority of the building was reclad in 2003 with improved thermal values to the panels and some solar reflectance to the glazing.

5.4. The existing foul and surface water drainage is made of pitch fibre and is in poor condition and is proposed to be replaced. The existing gas fired central heating system is now 25 years old and replacement boiler plant will therefore be installed, with the remainder of the system adapted and upgraded to cater for the new layout.

6) Scope of the Project:

6.1. The interior layout of the junior school building will be modified to provide improved pedestrian access from the entrance lobby and reception to the waiting area, hall and administrative rooms, whilst retaining a hall in excess of the minimum DCSF brief area for a 1FE primary school. A new music/drama space will be formed adjacent to the hall. This will be acoustically isolated from the hall and kitchen, but linked into the hall. This space will be able to function independently for community use, with separate accessible toilet, access to the central court/amphitheatre, and close proximity to parking. The reception key stage 1 classrooms and nurture spaces are located on the ground floor with the necessary external spaces, whilst the four key stage 2 classrooms are to be located on the first floor. The other first floor accommodation provides for ICT, technology, tutorial and meeting spaces. Toilet accommodation will also be revised and upgraded where necessary. The busy pre-school element will be arranged so that it can operate independently, with a separate external area and entrance.

6.2. External canopies will be formed to provide shelter for teaching, play and parents waiting to collect pupils.

6.3. In summary, the refurbishment proposals provide the following accommodation:

Ground Floor


· four classrooms with associated storage areas

· library/resource area

· reception/lobby/waiting area

· hall

· headteacher's office

· deputy headteacher's office

· music/drama/community room with associated storage

· kitchen/servery

· staffroom

· toilets for staff and pupils (to include accessible toilet)

· caretaker's store/plant room/boiler room

· two pre-school classrooms with lobby/office area and staff and pupil toilets

First Floor

· four classrooms with associated storage areas

· tutorial/group room

· toilets

· ICT space

· group room

· office/tutorial room

· food technology/CDT space

· toilets

7) The Building

7.1 The existing external wall materials of brick and cladding will be retained. The smaller SCOLA 2 block (which houses the pre-school provision) will be reclad and reroofed to complement the main building.

8) External Works:

8.1. New external teaching spaces will be created adjacent to the classroom areas.

8.2. The existing central parking area will be modified and resurfaced to form the infant playground and two-thirds of the playcourts to the Woodcroft Lane side of the building will be retained.

8.3. A new grass playing pitch will be formed on the area of the existing infant school and planting added to give shade and separation.

8.4. A new pedestrian access from Woodcroft Lane will separate pedestrians from vehicles and lead directly via the revised automatic entrance doors into a controlled reception lobby.

9) Planning:

A detailed planning application was submitted during February 2009.

10) Building Management:

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

11) Professional Resources:

Mechanical and Electrical - Property, Business & Regulatory

Quantity Surveying - Grant Associates

Structural Engineering - Gifford and Partners

Architecture - Property, Business & Regulatory

Landscape - Property, Business & Regulatory

Drainage - Engineering Consultancy

12) Consultations:

The following have been consulted during the development of this project and any relevant 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.

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 old central heating system will be replaced with a new more efficient system.

The majority of the junior school was recently reclad with improved thermal values to the panels and the smaller two-storey block will be similarly reclad, again with improved thermal performance.

The retained buildings will be rewired and relamped with new energy-efficient light fittings and controls throughout, thereby reducing energy consumption. New external lighting to paths and parking areas will meet current standards and minimise light pollution.

The demolition of the infant school building will result in a reduction in the demand for foul water disposal.

Value-for-Money

Factors taken into consideration during the development process to ensure that the project is delivering value-for-money:

Procurement - the scheme has been procured through the IESE tier 2 framework via a mini competition with four of the framework contractors and will achieve the benefits of delivery through collaborative working arrangements.

Buildability/Specification - the early involvement of the contractor in the design development process has enabled them to contribute valuable experience, knowledge and expertise into achieving optimum design solutions in terms of buildability, quality and costs over the life of the building.

Whole Life Costs - the development of the project has included an analysis of costs over the whole life-cycle of the building. A Whole Life Cost plan has been prepared for the project and compares with other such school projects carried out by the County Council.

Sustainability - the scheme has been designed with a strong sustainability agenda and although a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Benchmark for Sustainability) rating is not specifically required, design considerations will reflect longer-term benefits delivered through low-energy use.