Agenda item - Education Capital Resources and Capital Investment Programme 2019/20

Report of the Executive Director Children Families & Learning (copy attached)

RESOLVED: That the Committee –

(i)            Noted that the level of available capital resources totalling £6.671million for investment relating to education buildings financed from capital grant

(ii)          Agreed the allocation of funding as shown in Appendix4 and that this was included within the Council’s Capital Investment Programme 2019/20.

(iii)         Agreed the allocation of £5.573m for Capital Maintenance as set out in Appendix 3 incorporating the Condition works set out in Appendix 4, and £28.000m for Basic Need in 2019/20 as set out in Appendix 3

(iv)         Agreed a minimum budget of £12m as set out in Appendix 3 to implement the outcomes of the SEND Review. Requested that officers bring a report to the next PR&G Committee Meeting setting out plans for any additional refurbishment required at Downs View School in order to ensure the entire estate is fit for purpose. The report should identify additional funding required and potential funding opportunities and options.

(v)          Requested officers bring a report to the next PR&G Committee setting out a broad strategy and plan for the Central Hub, which sets out the likely allocation of the £4m funding identified in 3.38 and included in Appendix 3. The report should identify whether the funding is sufficient to ensure the delivery of a fit for purpose facility.

(vi)         Granted delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Property & Design to procure the capital maintenance and basic need works and enter into contracts within these budgets, as required, in accordance with Contract Standing Orders in respect of the entire Education Capital Programme.

142.1  The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director Children Families & Learning which informed the Committee of the level of available Capital Resources allocated to this service for 2019/20 and to recommend a Capital Investment Programme for 2019/20.

142.2  Councillor Sykes referred to paragraph 3.12 and asked what the nature of the funding was, whether it would recurrent and if it had to be earmarked for property services. The Executive Director Children Families & Learning advised that the funding was previously held within the Dedicated Schools Grant which was allocated centrally, and last year that money was delegated to schools and they have chosen to buy back the support from the Council for us to undertake work at the schools. All the schools had chosen to buy back that provision and so it would be a recurrent sum. With regard Councillor Sykes noted that there was a figure for fees of 10% which amounted to around £400k, and asked who those fees were paid to. He was advised that the fees were paid to in-house surveyors within property and design.

142.3  The Chair noted that the Conservative Group had submitted an amendment and asked Councillor Janio to propose the amendment.

142.4  Councillor Janio said the Conservative Group were in favour of the spending and hoped that the amendments would be helpful. The group wanted additional funding for the Downs View School and were concerned that the Central Hub was rather nebulous, and were therefore proposing the following amendment (changes in italics):

            2.1       That the level of available capital resources totalling £6.671million for investment relating to education buildings financed from capital grant be noted.

2.2       That Committee agree the allocation of funding as shown in Appendices 3 and Appendix 4 and that this is included within the Council’s Capital Investment Programme 2019/20.

2.3       The Committee agrees the allocation of £5.573m for Capital Maintenance as set out in Appendix 3 incorporating the Condition works set out in Appendix 4, and £28.000m for Basic Need in 2019/20 as set out in Appendix 3

2.4       The Committee agrees a minimum budget of £12m as set out in Appendix 3 to implement the outcomes of the SEND Review. The Committee requests that officers bring a report to the next PR&G Committee Meeting setting out plans for any additional refurbishment required at Downs View School in order to ensure the entire estate is fit for purpose. The report should identify additional funding required and potential funding opportunities and options.

2.5       The Committee requests officers bring a report to the next PR&G Committee setting out a broad strategy and plan for the Central Hub, which sets out the likely allocation of the £4m funding identified in 3.38 and included in Appendix 3. The report should identify whether the funding is sufficient to ensure the delivery of a fit for purpose facility.

2.36    That Committee grants delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Property & Design to procure the capital maintenance and basic need works and enter into contracts within these budgets, as required, in accordance with Contract Standing Orders in respect of the entire Education Capital Programme.

142.5  Councillor Miller seconded the amendment.

142.6  Councillor Hamilton said that he would support the amendment, but did note that the report said that there would continue to be discussions on the design and specifications of the Hubs and there was originally £5m for this and that had increased to £8m.

142.7  The Committee voted on the amendment and it was agreed.

142.8  RESOLVED: That the Committee –

(i)            Noted that the level of available capital resources totalling £6.671million for investment relating to education buildings financed from capital grant

(ii)          Agreed the allocation of funding as shown in Appendix4 and that this was included within the Council’s Capital Investment Programme 2019/20.

(iii)         Agreed the allocation of £5.573m for Capital Maintenance as set out in Appendix 3 incorporating the Condition works set out in Appendix 4, and £28.000m for Basic Need in 2019/20 as set out in Appendix 3

(iv)         Agreed a minimum budget of £12m as set out in Appendix 3 to implement the outcomes of the SEND Review. Requested that officers bring a report to the next PR&G Committee Meeting setting out plans for any additional refurbishment required at Downs View School in order to ensure the entire estate is fit for purpose. The report should identify additional funding required and potential funding opportunities and options.

(v)          Requested officers bring a report to the next PR&G Committee setting out a broad strategy and plan for the Central Hub, which sets out the likely allocation of the £4m funding identified in 3.38 and included in Appendix 3. The report should identify whether the funding is sufficient to ensure the delivery of a fit for purpose facility.

(vi)         Granted delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Property & Design to procure the capital maintenance and basic need works and enter into contracts within these budgets, as required, in accordance with Contract Standing Orders in respect of the entire Education Capital Programme.