Agenda Item No: 9

 

THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL

 

CABINET MEETING: 25TH APRIL 2007

 

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, ICT AND PROPERTY

 

ASSET RENEWAL BUILDING PROGRAMME

 

Purpose of Report

 

1.         To gain Cabinet’s approval for schemes to be funded from the Council’s Asset Renewal and School Development capital allocations for 2007/08, the 2007/08 Schools Building Improvement Grant and the School Investment Strategy Fund.

 

Background

 

2.         The budget allocation within the Council’s 2007/08 Capital Programme for Asset Renewal schemes is £800,000 (Education), £150,000 (Social Services), £150,000 (Leisure) and £200,000 Miscellaneous Buildings. An allocation of £62,000 was also included for School Development. (Council Minute Nr. 820 Refers). A further £500,000 has also been allocated within the 2007/08 Capital Programme to support the development of three secondary schools within the School Investment Strategy.

 

3.         In addition to the above, approval has also been given to carry forward into 2007/08 the uncommitted elements of the 2006/07 Education Asset Renewal budget as follows; £20,000 approved by Cabinet on 28th February 2007, minute number C2922.

 

4.         The School Buildings Improvement Grant (SBIG) is awarded by the Welsh Assembly Government for the improvement, renovation or replacement of buildings used for educational purposes.  The grant awarded for 2007/08 is £1,574,000 and has been included in the 2007/08 Capital Programme.

 

5.         All schemes to be funded from the SBIG grant require written approval from the Welsh Assembly Government prior to commencement. The minimum value for eligible schemes is set at £50,000.  Each scheme can relate to one school only.

 

Relevant Issues and Options

 

6.         It is necessary to draw up a programme of schemes to be funded from the Asset Renewal budget, the School Development budget and the School Buildings Improvement grant.  A prioritised list of schemes has been drawn up by officers from the Property Section in consultation with the various departments and the Schools Asset Management Group and by adopting the following criteria and processes.

 

§         Extracting from completed Property Condition Surveys works that have been identified as high priority status.

 

§         Utilising an existing backlog list of prioritised schemes which has been reviewed and updated throughout the year.

 

§         Feedback from regular meetings between officers from both Property and Building Services sections who have first hand knowledge of many of the properties.

 

§         Feedback from building users who have identified areas of concern and utilising information collated by Education.

 

§         Capital bids received from officers during the 2007/08 capital bidding round.

 

7.         The proposed programme is shown in Appendix A (PDF) attached to this report.

 

8.         The asset renewal programme is treated as a single overall scheme.

 

9.         Should any significant developments occur resulting in the omission of a scheme, the inclusion of an additional scheme or a virement, the Director of Finance, ICT and Property, in consultation with the Leader, have the authority to implement such changes to the programme.

 

 

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

 

10.       The School Buildings Improvement Grant (SBIG) for 2007/08 totals £1,574,000.  This grant must be fully spent within the year in which it is approved, as no carry forward is allowed.

 

 

Legal Implications (to include Human Rights Implications)

 

11.       There are no direct implications as a result of this report.

 

 

 

 

Crime and Disorder Implications

 

13.       There are no direct implications as a result of this report.

 

 

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language Issues)

 

14.       There are no direct implications as a result of this report.

 

 

Corporate/Service Objectives

 

15.       To improve the condition of Council’s property stock.

 

 

Policy Framework and Budget

 

16.       This report is a matter for Executive decision by the Cabinet.

 

 

Consultation (Including Ward Member Consultation)

 

17.       Consultation has taken place with relevant Officers from the Service directorates and building users.  Ward member consultation is not required.

 

 

Appropriate Scrutiny Committee

 

18.       Corporate Resources.

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

(1)        That the proposed schemes to be funded from the Asset Renewal budget, the School Development budget and School Buildings Improvement grant as listed in Appendix A are approved.

 

 

Reasons for recommendations

 

(1)       To set the programme and enable the procurement process to proceed.

 

 

 

Background Papers

 

School Buildings Improvement grant letter from the Welsh Assembly Government

 

Contact Officer – Chris Williams 01446 709270

 

 

Officers Consulted:   Martin Donovan (Learning and Development)

Mark Haynes (Education Property Officer

                                    Carys Lord  (Community Services)

                                    Dave Knevett (Environment and Economic Development)

                                    Chris Fray (Environment and Economic Development)

                                    Miles Punter (Environment and Economic Development)

                                    Steve Morris (Environment and Economic Development)   

Laura Davis (Senior Accountant)

 

Sian Davies

Director of Finance ICT and Property

 

All relevant Chief Officers have been consulted on the contents of this report.