Learning Estate Programme Progress Update
Perth and Kinross Council · 13 June 2022
Back to Property Sub-Committee — 13 June 2022 and its agenda
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL PROPERTY SUB-COMMITTEE 13 JUNE 2022 LEARNING ESTATE PROGRAMME – PROGRESS UPDATE Report by Executive Director (Education and Children’s Services) (Report No 22/121) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 This report updates the Property Sub-Committee on the progress for delivering the current major projects within the Education and Children’s Services (ECS) Learning Estate Programme. It details key milestones which have been achieved since the last update to Property Sub-Committee on 10 January 2022 (Report No. 22/2 refers). 2. RECOMMENDATION 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: • Notes the significant milestones achieved since the previous Property Sub-Committee meeting held on 10 January 2022: ➢ As part of the Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) expansion and infrastructure plan, the nursery extension at Rattray Primary School has been completed (6.3); ➢ The planning application for the new build Perth High School has been approved (6.4); and ➢ Construction works for the North Muirton/Balhousie Primary School project continue to progress well. Lifelong Learning Committee approved the proposal to name the new combined primary school Riverside Primary School (6.5). • Notes that project teams continue to manage the impact of Brexit/COVID-19/Construction supply capacity, and the war in Ukraine, on projects. 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections:
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• Section 4: Background • Section 5: Progress • Section 6: Updates on Current Programme • Appendices 4. BACKGROUND 4.1 The Learning Estate Strategy (November 2021) (Report No. 21/202 refers) sets out the Council’s aspirations for our schools, and in particular, the high value we place on learning, through our vision for well designed, maintained and managed schools. 4.2 The strategy is delivered through the Learning Estate Management Plan (LEMP), approved by Lifelong Learning Committee in November 2021, which is primarily funded through the Council Capital Programme. 4.3 The ECS Capital Programme details the priorities for the Learning Estate until 2028 and is reviewed on an annual basis. 5. PROGRESS 5.1 This report updates Committee on the progress for delivering the current projects within the ECS Learning Estate Programme. The focus of the programme is on: • ELC Expansion; • Primary School Upgrades/Replacements; • Secondary School Upgrades/Replacement; and • Recreation Centre Development. 5.2 In March 2020, construction activity stopped across all projects as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design work continued, where possible, on projects still in the pre-construction phase. The long-term impact of the pandemic to project timescales is yet to be fully understood, but there is an expectation that new methods for working will result in extended construction programmes and associated possible increases in costs exacerbated by supply chain uncertainty. The impact of Brexit/COVID-19/construction supply capacity, and the war in Ukraine, is yet to be determined but there is currently an increase in tender and material prices being experienced on projects across the country. 5.3 Project Teams have regular dialogue regarding options and solutions to manage the impact of the changing situation. Work is constantly undertaken to develop various business continuity approaches in response to the ongoing pandemic. 6. UPDATES ON CURRENT PROGRAMME 6.1 Detailed updates on all current projects are provided in Appendix A. 6.2 The following is an update on significant project milestones since previously
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reported to the Property Sub-Committee on 10 January 2022. 6.3 Early Learning and Childcare Expansion 6.3.1 As part of the ELC Plan (Report No. 17/314 refers), various infrastructure projects were identified to expand ELC capacity in response to the Scottish Government commitment to increase ELC delivery to 1140 hours per annum. 6.3.2 Construction works to the nursery extension at Rattray Primary School are complete and the nursery will be operational by the end of June 2022. 6.4 Perth High School 6.4.1 On 20 June 2018, Council approved funding from the Composite Capital Budget (Report No. 18/212 refers) for the replacement of Perth High School. 6.4.2 The planning application was approved at Planning and Development Management Committee on 16 March 2022. 6.5 Riverside Primary School 6.5.1 As part of the School Estate Transformation Programme, Lifelong Learning Committee (Report No. 18/15 refers) approved the construction of a new primary school on the playing field of the existing North Muirton Primary School site. The new building will accommodate pupils from both North Muirton Primary School and Balhousie Primary School (Report No. 18/349 refers). 6.5.2 Construction works continue to progress well on site with the structural frame now erected. The planned operational date remains on target for April 2023. 6.5.3 On 31 January 2022, Lifelong Learning Committee approved the proposal to name the new primary school as Riverside Primary School (Report No. 22/23 refers). This was further to a consultation process involving pupils, parents, staff, the community, local elected members and the Conveners of Lifelong Learning Committee. Author Name Designation Contact Details Greg Boland Head of Business and Resources ECSCommittee@pkc.gov.uk 01738 47500 Approved Name Designation Date Sheena Devlin Executive Director (Education and Children’s Services) 01/06/22
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ANNEX 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes/None Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement Yes Corporate Plan Yes Resource Implications Financial Yes Workforce No Asset Management (land, property, IST) Yes Assessments Equality Impact Assessment Yes Strategic Environmental Assessment Yes Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) Yes Legal and Governance Yes Risk Yes Consultation Internal Yes External Yes Communication Communications Plan No 1. Strategic Implications Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement 1.1 This section sets out how the proposals relate to the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement in terms of the following priorities: (i) Giving every child the best start in life; (ii) Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens; (iii) Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy; (iv) Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives; and (v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations. This report relates to all of these objectives. Corporate Plan 1.2 This section sets out how the proposals relate to the achievement of the Council’s Corporate Plan Objectives: (i) Giving every child the best start in life; (ii) Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens; (iii) Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy; (iv) Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives; and (v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations. This report relates to all of these objectives.
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1.3 The report also links to the Education & Children’s Services Vision, Values and Priorities in respect of the following key Priority area: • Learning and Achievement 2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 The meeting of the Council on 23 February 2022 approved the move to a 6-year funded Capital Delivery Programme covering the period 2022/23 to 2027-28 (Report No. 22/36 refers). 2.1.1 Any additional revenue implications identified through either the existing Capital Programme, or future Capital Programmes will require to be submitted as part of an expenditure pressure with a corresponding saving through the ECS revenue budget process. 2.1.2 There are no direct financial implications arising from this report other than those reported within the body of the main report and related business cases. Workforce 2.2 There are no direct workforce implications arising from this report. Asset Management (land, property, IT) 2.3 There are no direct asset management implications arising from this report other than those reported within the body of the main report. 3. Assessments Equality Impact Assessment 3.1 Under the Equality Act 2010, the Council is required to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between equality groups. Carrying out Equality Impact Assessments for plans and policies allows the Council to demonstrate that it is meeting these duties. 3.1.1 The proposals have been considered under the Corporate Equalities Impact Assessment process (EqIA) with the following outcome: (i) Assessed as not relevant for the purposes of EqIA. Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.2 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to identify and assess the environmental consequences of its proposals.
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3.2.1 However, no action is required as the Act does not apply to the matters presented in this report. This is because these matters relate to the School Estate Strategy which is being considered under the Act as part of The Council’s Asset Management Plan. Sustainability 3.3 Under the provisions of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003, the Council has to discharge its duties in a way which contributes to the achievement of sustainable development. Under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 the Council also has a duty relating to climate change and, in exercising its functions must act: • In the way best calculated to delivery of the Act’s emissions reduction targets. • In the way best calculated to deliver any statutory adaption programmes. • In a way that it considers most sustainable. 3.3.1 The information contained within this report has been considered under the Act. However, no action is required as the Act does not apply to the matters presented in this report. Legal and Governance 3.4 The Head of Legal and Governance Services has been consulted in the preparation of this report. 3.5 N/A Risk 3.6 Individual risk profiles are in place for individual projects listed. 4. Consultation Internal 4.1 The Head of Finance, Head of Legal and Governance Services and Head of Property Services have been consulted in the preparation of this report. External 4.2 Participation and involvement of the community are critical to the ongoing and future success of school estate investment and an emphasis is placed on ensuring consultation, over and above that which might be required in terms of planning requirements and statutory consultation requirements. 4.2.1 A User Reference Group (URG), or equivalent, is set up for all major and large projects. The purpose of the URG is to assist with providing relevant local input to allow the Design Team to develop the outline concept design into an operational design. The formation of a URG is an invaluable source of information, and any project is reliant on this level of local detail.
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5. Communication 5.1 A stakeholder communication plan is developed for all major and large projects. The plan aims to support effective communication and engagement with all project stakeholders. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 2.1 No background papers, as defined by Section 50D of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (and not containing confidential or exempt information) were relied on to a material extent in preparing the above report. 3. APPENDICES 3.1 Appendix A – Detailed Updates on Current Projects January – June 2022