Issue - meetings

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Enterprise, which provided a summary of the Priority School Building Programme.

          The Board was advised, that in July 2011, the Department for Education (DfE) announced it was commencing the Priority School Building Programme, which was a privately financed programme to address those schools in the worst building condition. The report outlined the criteria for eligibility in the programme, and noted that local authorities were required to demonstrate that school buildings were in poor condition by utilising data extracted from building condition surveys.

          The Board noted that three Halton community schools met the criteria of the rebuilding costs; these schools were:

·       The Bankfield;

·       The Park Primary School; and

·       Halebank CE Voluntary Controlled Primary School.

It was further noted that, following the submission of applications, DfE consultant surveys, site visits and survey data validation, the DfE announced that Halebank CE Voluntary Controlled Primary School was eligible to be included on the list of schools. The local authority had requested details of the private finance arrangements to enable full consideration before a decision was made whether to proceed as part of the programme. The school would make an estimated contribution of around £12,000 per annum, and would be responsible for soft facilities management (i.e. repairs, maintenance, loose furniture and equipment). The DfE had advised that they would have an Outline Business Case submitted by April 2013.

Reason(s) for Decision

To enable further details of the private finance to be considered at a later date which would help decide whether to progress with inclusion in the programme.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

It was not possible for the local authority to fund new build school from its capital programmes.

Implementation Date

Not applicable.

     RESOLVED: That

1)    the position of the Priority School Building Programme be noted; and

2)     the sharing of asset management data with the Department for Education be agreed.