Learning Estate Programme - Progress Update
Perth and Kinross Council · 6 November 2023
Back to Property Sub-Committee — 6 November 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL PROPERTY SUB-COMMITTEE 6 NOVEMBER 2023 LEARNING ESTATE PROGRAMME – PROGRESS UPDATE Report by Executive Director (Education and Children’s Services) (Report No. 23/296) 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 1 May 2023 (Report No. 23/123 refers). 2. RECOMMENDATION 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: • Notes the significant milestones that have been achieved, rescheduled or updated since the previous Property Sub-Committee meeting on 1 May 2023: ➢ New Primary School at Bertha Park • Stage 1 of the Hub East Central Scotland (HubCo) process is underway including development of a concept design; • An announcement is awaited on a bid submitted to the Scottish Government for Learning Estate Investment Programme – Phase 3 (LEIP 3) funding towards the project (6.3); ➢ Construction works for the replacement of Blairgowrie Recreation Centre commenced on site in May 2023 (6.4); ➢ Perth Academy – Refurbishment • Phase 3 of works at Perth Academy is now complete with all standard classrooms and the ground floor pupil toilets now refurbished; • A fourth phase of works to improve the energy efficiency and performance of the science block external façade commenced on site in July 2023 (6.5); ➢ Perth Grammar School – Refurbishment • Structural works to the assembly hall roof are now complete; • Wi-Fi upgrades are due to commence in December 2023 (6.6); and
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2 ➢ Riverside Primary School became operational in June 2023 (6.7). • Notes that an agreement to purchase a new site for the proposed replacement of Braco Primary School will be considered by the Committee under a separate paper (7.1). 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: • Section 4: Background • Section 5: Progress • Section 6: Updates on Current Programme • Section 7: Forward Planning • 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: • Primary School Upgrades; • New Primary School Projects; • Secondary School Upgrades; • Replacement Secondary School; and • Recreation Centre Replacement. 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 reported to the Property Sub-Committee: 6.3 New Primary School at Bertha Park
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3 6.3.1 As part of the Learning Estate Transformation Programme, the Learning and Families Committee on 2 November 2022 approved the site adjacent to Bertha Park High School for a new primary school (Report No. 22/265 refers). The extra capacity in the primary learning estate is required to accommodate expected pupil numbers generated from planned housebuilding within the strategic sites at the north and northwest of Perth. 6.3.2 Stage 1 of the HubCo process, including development of concept designs, commenced in May 2023. 6.3.3 An announcement is awaited on a bid submitted to the Scottish Government for LEIP 3 funding towards the project. 6.4 Blairgowrie Recreation Centre - Replacement 6.4.1 The Council has approved a replacement recreation centre at Blairgowrie High School (Report No. 16/277 refers). 6.4.2 Construction works for the replacement Blairgowrie Recreation Centre commenced on site in May 2023 and are progressing well and to programme. 6.5 Perth Academy 6.5.1 Funding has been secured to undertake a partial refurbishment of Perth Academy to improve the condition and suitability of the facilities. Due to the live school environment, ongoing works are being phased into manageable packages as part of a rolling programme. 6.5.2 The third phase of works including refurbishment of all standard classrooms and the ground floor pupil toilets are now complete. 6.5.3 A fourth phase of works to improve the energy efficiency and performance of the science block external façade commenced on site in July 2023. 6.6 Perth Grammar School 6.6.1 Funding is allocated to undertake infrastructure upgrades to Perth Grammar School. Due to the live school environment, ongoing works are being phased into manageable packages as part of a rolling programme. 6.6.2 Replacement of the assembly hall roof and associated works were completed in October 2023. 6.6.3 Wi-Fi upgrades to improve the digital connectivity of the learning environment are due to commence on site in December 2023.
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4 6.7 Riverside Primary School 6.7.1 As part of the Learning Estate Transformation Programme, Lifelong Learning Committee (Report No. 18/15 refers) approved construction of a new primary school on the playing field of the former North Muirton Primary School site to accommodate pupils from both the former North Muirton and Balhousie Primary Schools. 6.7.2 Riverside Primary School became operational in June 2023. 7. FORWARD PLANNING 7.1 Braco Primary School 7.1.1 On 21 March 2018 it was agreed by Lifelong Learning Committee that investment be committed to improve the suitability of Braco Primary School as part of the School Estate Transformation Programme (Report No. 18/87 refers). Subject to approval by the Finance and Resources Committee, funding for the project will be drawn down from the Investing in the Learning Estate Programme which forms part of the composite capital programme 2023-2028. 7.1.2 Several options have been considered to improve the suitability of the school. Negotiations have taken place to acquire a new site within Braco to build a replacement school. The agreement for the purchase of the site will be considered by the Property Sub-Committee as a separate paper. Author Name Designation Contact Details Greg Boland Head of Business and Resources ECSCommittee@pkc.gov.uk 01738 475000 Approved Name Designation Date Sheena Devlin Executive Director (Education and Children’s Services) 25 October 2023
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5 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 Corporate Plan 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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6 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 1 March 2023 approved the Composite Capital budget 2023/24 to 2027/28 (Report No. 23/73 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. 3.2.1 The proposals have been considered under the Act; however, no action is
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7 required as the Act does not apply to the matters presented in this report. This is because the Committee are requested to note the contents of the report only and the Committee are not being requested to approve, adopt or agree to an action or to set the framework for future decisions. 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 the 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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8 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 (May – November 2023)