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ITEM EX13

EXECUTIVE - 3 APRIL 2002

Education Capital Projects

DETAILED PROJECT APPRAISAL APPRAISAL NO. ED560/1

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

In September 2001 the Education Management Sub-Committee approved an outline project appraisal for the demolition of a HORSA building and constructing a new Key Stage 1 (KS1) classroom block. Since the outline project appraisal was approved the scheme has been developed and now includes 2 KS1 classrooms and a dedicated Foundation Stage Classroom. The School Governors have agreed to contribute funding towards the scheme in order that the Foundation Stage classroom can be included.

Resource Appraisal (download as .rtf file)


JUSTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF NEED

The justification remains unaltered form the outline project appraisal. The HORSA building was built in the late 1940’s with an intended life span of approximately 15 years. The structure of the building comprises concrete portal frames with hollow concrete block infill panels. The building has poor insulation and no damp proof course.

The replacement of this HORSA building is one of the top priority condition projects submitted to the DfEE as part of the LEA Asset Management Plan process. The New Deal for Schools Condition (NDSC) funding recently allocated will be used to replace the ten poorest condition HORSA buildings throughout the county.

OTHER OPTIONS

The only other option would be to continue to maintain the building until other sources of funding became available.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

1. Capital

The NDS Condition funding identified to replace this building is £283,180 inclusive of fees. The school is contributing £55,000 inclusive of fees. A further £11,260 inclusive of fees is available from the Access Initiative to contribute towards the improved access arrangements for people with disabilities.

The site of the current HORSA building and its proposed replacement is leased by the Authority from The Banbury Bluecoat Foundation, an educational charity whose origins date back to the establishment of Banbury’s first Free School in 1705. The charity supports children throughout Banbury with clothing grants and more recently has helped finance equipment and subsidise the cost of school trips for pupils at St Mary’s School.

The current lease expires in 2008. Whilst terms for a new 60 year lease had been agreed the Authority will be liable to meet a notional payment of approximately £85,000 under the Capital Finance Regulations. It is proposed that the replacement of the HORSA building proceeds within the existing lease which expires in September 2008.The lease will then be renewed under the protection of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. This will defer the capital charge until 2008.

2. Revenue

Replacing the HORSA building with new permanent accommodation will result in reduced maintenance and energy costs.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS