Issue - meetings

 Report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director.

 Councillor Laura Mayes presented the report which asked the meeting to agree the Schools Capital Investment Programme for 2017- 2020. In giving her presentation, Councillor Mayes thanked the officers for their hard work.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: the progress made with the current programme; the limited funding available from central government; how officers maximise contributions from developers; and how work is prioritised.

Resolved

1.    To note the status of March 2014 approved school capital schemes as shown at Appendix A (all complete).

2.    To note the updated (previously approved) School Capital Programme as shown at Appendix B.

3.    To consider and approve the proposed new Basic Need schemes subject to planning approval and completed S106 negotiations as at Appendix C.

4.    To approve the Schools Planned Maintenance Programme totalling £2.5M for 2017/18 as outlined at Appendix D and to agree that a further £2.0M be held pending identified priorities for 2018/19.

5.    To approve the Condition (Improvements) and Mobile Classroom Replacement Programme for 2017/18 as outlined at Appendix E.

6.    To authorise the Corporate Director for Children Services to invite and evaluate tenders for the projects described in this report, and, following consultation with the cabinet member, to award the contract for the project (subject to approval of any necessary statutory proposals) and to authorise, in consultation with the Head of Strategic Asset & FM (or the Asset Portfolio Manager (Estates), in accordance with the relevant scheme of sub-delegation (under paragraph 7 of Part 3B of Wiltshire Council’s constitution)), the acquisition of all land (and the completion of any legal documentation) reasonably required in order to facilitate the Schools Capital Investment Programme.

Reason for Decision:

The Council has a statutory duty to provide sufficient school places to meet the demand arising across Wiltshire, whether from demographic or population change, strategic housing development growth and the Army Re-Basing programme. The approved Wiltshire School Places Strategy 2015- 2020 and its Implementation Plan identifies the priority basic need schemes requiring capital investment in the short, medium and longer term and this updated proposed Schools Capital Investment Programme will enable the priority works to be progressed. The Council also has Landlord responsibilities for the effective management and maintenance of the schools (for which the Council is responsible) estate and the investment programme will enable urgent and priority repairs and maintenance projects to proceed.