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ITEM EX7

EXECUTIVE – 7 APRIL 2004

EDUCATION ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN

Report by Director for Learning & Culture

Introduction

  1. This report sets out the Authority’s priorities for capital and revenue investment in school buildings for 2004/05 onwards as described in the attached Statement of Priorities.

    (Oxfordshire Statement of Priorities 2004 - download as .rtf file)

    2. Background

  2. The Executive, at its meeting on 8 July 2003, approved a report setting out the draft Corporate Asset Management Plan and Capital Strategy. As part of these documents, the core aims and objectives of Learning & Culture which relate to education asset management and capital expenditure were set out. These form the basis of an updated version of the Education Asset Management Plan (AMP) Statement of Priorities for 2004/05 onwards, which builds on the version approved by the Executive on 10 December 2002.

  3. The draft revised Statement of Priorities was submitted to the DfES for appraisal at the end of December 2003. The outcome of this part of the appraisal process is expected to be received late March/early April. There are only two possible outcomes, either satisfactory, or unsatisfactory. If it is satisfactory, the Authority has the autonomy to spend its capital allocations according to its locally established priorities.

  4. This is the final stage of the DfES appraisal. Previously, updated premises, condition and suitability assessment data were submitted for appraisal and were considered to be satisfactory. This meant that the Authority was eligible for Modernisation funding for 2004-05 and 2005-06 and is able to allocate this funding in line with locally agreed AMP priorities without further reference to the DfES, subject to the Statement of Priorities being assessed as satisfactory.

    5. Statement of Priorities

  5. This is the key strategic document arising out of the AMP process. The areas to be covered in the document are prescribed by the DfES. It shows the Authority’s strategic priorities for capital investment arising from the Corporate AMP and Capital Strategy and the Authority’s development and improvement plans. It also demonstrates how these priorities align with Government priorities. All capital and revenue investment in school buildings, both centrally and locally managed, should contribute to achieving these priorities. The document attached comprises:

    • The local context, which includes a vision for school standards and key local factors – sections 1 and 2

    • The strategic priorities for investment are described in Section 3.

    • Statements of how we will be making the best use of available funds – Section 4.

    • Elements subject to bidding and contingency arrangements – Section 5.

    • The basic principles underlying the capital investment strategy – Section 6.

    • A description of the professional resources in place to deliver the plan – Section 7.

    • Timescale – Section 8.

    • School capital funding sources – Section 9.

    • Annex 1, which shows the relationship of the Education AMP to other Council plans and priorities.

  1. The most important section is Section 3 which sets out in detail the strategic priorities. These are:

    • The Building Schools for the Future programme.

    • 14-19 provision

    • Completing the reorganisation of Oxford City Schools

    • Basic need – providing statutory required places

    • Removal of surplus places

    • Modernisation of the school estate

    • Early Years development

    • Special education needs

    • Support for school causing concern

    • Building learning communities

    • E-Learning and ICT in schools

    • Remodelling of the school workforce

    • Risk management – security and health and safety needs

    • Opportunity development

Only the first two national priorities are additions to those approved by the Executive in 2002. All are consistent with the Corporate AMP and capital strategy.

Consultation

  1. The AMP Consultation Group has approved the statement. This is the main consultation mechanism established in the AMP process. It comprises representatives of the local stakeholders in the AMP – the three Headteacher Associations (OSSHTA, OPHTA and OASSH), Oxfordshire Governors Association and the three Dioceses.

    2. Financial Implications

  2. The priorities established in this document will be used to determine which projects are put forward for funding in the Authority’s capital programme. They will also be used for determining the allocation of resources either made available to schools or to utilise centrally managed funding allocations, grants and receipts.

    3. RECOMMENDATION

  3. The Executive is RECOMMENDED to approve the Statement of Priorities for the purpose of the Council’s investment in school buildings, so far as consistent with the outcome of the DfES appraisal.

 

KEITH BARTLEY
Director for Learning & Culture

Background papers: Nil

Contact Officer:
Gerald Hales, Education Officer, Premises Development Group, Tel: 01865 428162

March 2004

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