PAPER B

Purpose: For Decision

Committee CABINET

Date TUESDAY, 12 APRIL 2011

Title SCHOOLS CAPITAL PROGRAMME

Report of CABINET MEMBER FOR GOVERNANCE AND SCHOOL

IMPROVEMENT AND THE CABINET MEMBER FOR
CHILDREN’S SERVICES

PURPOSE

1. To authorise officers to implement a Schools Capital Programme that will support the
provision of sufficient and suitable accommodation at schools across the Island.

OUTCOMES

2. To ensure sufficient and appropriate accommodation is provided to support the

second stage of the reorganisation programme of school provision across the Island
into primary and secondary phases.

BACKGROUND

3. In 2009, the Council developed a Schools Capital Programme to support Schools

Re-organisation across the Island. To support the Schools Capital Programme the
Council identified funding from a number of sources including the Primary Capital
Programme, modernisation programme, and 14-19 programme. The total amount of
funding available to support projects over the next two years is £25,500,000.

4. The Council is committed to raising standards of attainment in all schools and

believes that the quality of school premises plays a key part in achieving this aim.
The size, suitability and condition of school buildings play a major role in determining
how effectively schools are able to deliver the curriculum. It is important that the
capital resources available are targeted where they will have the greatest impact,
particularly in ensuring that the Council provides sufficient and appropriate
accommodation.

5. Throughout 2009/10 Officers from the School Reorganisation Team assessed asset
management plan data and visited school sites to determine the level of investment
required to ensure that sufficient and suitable accommodation was available to meet
the needs of pupils.

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6. A school investment strategy was prepared that places schools into four phases.
Phase 1, which comprised the provision of suitable accommodation for Year 5
children was completed by August 2010. Phases 2 and 3 comprise a mixture of
additional accommodation, refurbishments and adaptions. The projects will ensure
that there is sufficient and appropriate accommodation to meet the needs of pupils
as a result of the schools reorganisation and also support the provision of facilities
for children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Officers from the
School Reorganisation Team are now working with schools in Phase 4 of the
programme to determine future investment needs. Details of the projects in Phases
2, 3 and 4 are contained in Appendix 1. The Schools Capital Programme relates
only to non-Voluntary Aided Schools. Investment in Voluntary Aided Schools is
supported by the Diocesan Authorities through the Locally Co-ordinated Voluntary
Aided Programme. A further report relating to future phases will be prepared once
option appraisals and feasibility studies have been completed.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

7. School re-organisation is a priority of the Council as set out in the Council’s

Corporate Plan. The aims of school re-organisation are to raise educational
standards and to provide greater opportunities for all young people on the Island.

CONSULTATION

8. Officers have consulted with Headteachers and Governors, who are supportive of
the projects being proposed.

FINANCIAL / BUDGET IMPLICATIONS

9. The funding to support the Schools Capital Programme has been identified from a
number of Government grants including, Schools Capital, Modernisation, Primary
Capital and 14-19 & SEN, Devolved Formula Capital contributions and Section 106
contributions.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

10. The projects contained within the Investment Programme will be delivered through
the Scape Framework, a nationally procured local authority framework agreement,
which will ensure that the projects represent value for money.

PROPERTY IMPLICATIONS

11. The projects will be delivered on school sites where the Council has a statutory duty
to repair, improve and maintain school premises.

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

12. Where the Council is providing new or extended facilities every opportunity will be
taken to improve access to premises.

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SECTION 17 CRIME AND DISORDER ACT 1998

13. Section 17 implications have been considered. The implications of the recommended
option are that schools will have sufficient and appropriate accommodation which
can be used for educational and community uses.

OPTIONS

14. Option A. To implement the School Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 1.

15. Option B. Not to implement the School Capital Programme.

RISK MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION

16. Option A. Implementing the Schools Capital Programme will ensure that Island
schools have sufficient and suitable accommodation to enable them to implement
the proposals arising as a result of School Re-organisation.

17. Option B. Without the benefit of the proposed investment the schools included within
Phases 2 and 3 of the Schools Capital Programme would not be able to implement
the proposals arising as a result of School Re-organisation.

RECOMMENDATION

3. Option A. Authorise officers to implement the Schools Capital Programme as set out
in Appendix 1.

APPENDICES ATTACHED

18. APPENDIX – 5 year Capital Programme Report as at 11 February 2011.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

19. Primary Capital Programme Strategy for Change 2009/2010.

Contact Point: Janet Newton, Schools Capital Programme Project Director

 01983 823219 e-mail janet.newton@iow.gov.uk

STEVE BEYNON COUNCILLOR DAVID PUGH

Chief Executive Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance,
Governance and School Improvement

COUNCILLOR DAWN COUSINS

Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

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