- DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
The
proposal is to consolidate the Infant and Junior School classes into
an extended junior school building. The scheme comprises the construction
of six classrooms, nursery, library, toilets and new hard play funded
by the sale of the infant building.
As
part of the proposals a football pitch for the joint use of the school
and community is to be provided on the site and discussions are taking
place about the relocation onto the site of the Abingdon Family Centre.
The
school has obtained additional funding through a successful Seed Challenge
bid. This funding will be added to the existing scheme to include remodelling
and refurbishing some parts of the junior school not previously included
in the projects.
- JUSTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT
OF NEED
The
original project appraisal in February 2001 outlined the additional
costs incurred by the school because of its segregated nature by operating
in two buildings and the operational difficulties this presents. The
relocation of Kingfisher special school provides for the opportunity
of a capital receipt from the sale of the Tesdale site of the Kingfisher
school and the school buildings of Caldecott School to provide funding
for this scheme and the relocation of Kingfisher School. Repairs and
maintenance liabilities to the Infant building in excess of £50,000
would be removed by this project.
This
scheme fits within the Asset Management priorities in terms of providing
opportunity funding to develop the scheme. Without the capital receipt
the project would be unable to proceed and the school would continue
to operate in two buildings.
- OTHER OPTIONS
Continuing
to operate in two buildings would maintain the operational problems
outlined above. The option of extending the infant school building was
explored but this would not create the opportunity for a suitable capital
receipt
Resource
Appraisal (download as .rtf file)
- FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
- Capital
This
updated appraisal is brought to the Executive because the costs
of the scheme have risen since February 2001. There have been
delays in moving the scheme forward because of planning issues.
The Vale of White Horse District Council has resolved to grant
planning permission for residential development on the disposal
site, subject to the signing of a S106 Agreement. The estimated
capital receipt for the disposal site has risen and it is anticipated
that this will meet the increased costs.
The
detailed cost estimate for the work is £1,486,000 (inclusive of
fees) as opposed to the previous cost estimate £1,139,000. This
is an increase £347,000. £317,000 will be found from the additional
estimated capital receipt, and £15,000 from the school’s successful
Seed Challenge bid and £15,000 from the school itself.
- Revenue
Revenue
costs including day to day maintenance and structural repairs will be
met from the school’s delegated budget under the Council’s Fair Funding
arrangements.
- ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPLICATIONS