REPORT

To: Education Committee

From: Director of Education

Date: 1 gfh September 2002 Ref: MM/JM/AF

Subject:

Education 2010Proposals : ND Primary Provision, Stepps Primary School

Summary This report gives details proposed changes in educational provision affecting the following establishments:

(1) Stepps Primary School

Recommendations to the education committee are detailed and included in the report.

Members wishing further information about the paper should contact:

Michael O’Neill, Director of Education, on 01236 812337, or Murdo Maciver, Head of Educational Provision, on 01236 812269, or Russell Ellerby, Commercial Partnerships Manager, on 01 698 302251

Stepps PS 1 18/09/02 10:33

North Lanarkshire Council

Department of Education

Education 2010 Proposals: Stepps Primary School

Report by the Director of Education

1. BACKGROUND

1 .I For a number of years the council has been aware of the need for the refurbishment and upgrading of schools. However, given the heavy demands on the capital budget the necessary full funding was not available from council resources.

1.2 In February 2001 the Scottish Executive announced funding to support public private partnership (PPP) school building projects. PPP projects are based on the principle that the authority buys school provision and selected associated building services from a private sector contractor. The private provider is responsible for the design, building and operation of the school. The council retains full responsibility for the specification and the management of the educational service. In September 2001 the council approved the preparation of a funding bid for a PPP project entitled Education 2010. It was based on a comprehensive analysis of the current school provision and future needs, and had two main aims:

(a) to provide high quality educational facilities for school pupils and leavers of all ages in North Lanarkshire. It was emphasised that the new provision should contribute to raising educational attainment, promote life-long learning, provide value for money and be adaptable to future needs.

(b) to contribute to the social and economic regeneration of communities by providing a range of council services in the new or refurbished school buildings.

1.3 In December 2001 the education committee approved an outline business case for Education 2010 to be submitted to the Scottish Executive. It listed projects to the value of €31 1 m, which included provision across all educational sectors and selected community facilities. In anticipation of a reduced allocation, higher priority projects were also identified. In June 2002, the Executive announced a funding allocation of f 150m to North Lanarkshire to cover not only capital costs but also life cycle costs and capitalised interest. The annual support will be f 10.74m over the 30 years of the project.

2. SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSALS

2.1 Detailed information about the proposals is included in the consultative document attached to the report.

2.2 In summary, the proposals are as follows:

a replacement of primary school provision in Stepps, with Stepps Primary School moving to a new-build replacement school at Hornshill Road. The new school will include additional provision for nursery classes.

2.3 It is now also proposed that Stepps Public Library be relocated to the new school site

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Recommendations:

It is recommended that the education committee adopt the following proposals:

that in August 2006 or such earlier or later date as may be determined by the implementation of the PPP project Stepps Primary School be relocated in a new build replacement school sited at Hornshill Farm Road, Stepps

that all pupils in attendance at Stepps Primary School on the relocation date should attend the new-build replacement school

that the catchment area for the new build replacement school be reviewed in the near future

that pre-five provision be located at the new-build replacement school

that the consultative document attached to this report be issued and made available to all interested parties

that all interested parties, including the relevant school boards, be invited to make written representations on the proposals to Murdo Maciver, Head of Service, Municipal Buildings, Kildonan Street, Coatbridge, no later than 13'h November 2002

that the Director of Education be asked to prepare a report on the consultative process for consideration at a future meeting of the education committee.

M M/ J MIAF Sept 2002

B7 Stepps 3

THIS IS A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT

North @hire

Co u nci I

NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

STEPPS PRIMARY SCHOOL

This document has been issued by the Education Committee of North Lanarkshire Council for consultation in terms of the Education (Publication and Consultation Etc)

(Scotland) Regulations 198 1

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NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL

Education 201 0 Proposals: ND Primary Provision, Stepps Primary School

1. Background

1.1 For a number of years the council has been aware of the need for the refurbishment and upgrading of schools. However, given the heavy demands on the capital budget the necessary full funding was not available from council resources.

1.2 In February 2001 the Scottish Executive announced funding to support public private partnership (PPP) school refurbishment projects. PPP projects are based on the principle that the authority buys school provision and selected associated building services from a private sector contractor. The private provider is responsible for the design, building and operation of the school. The council retains full responsibility for the specification and the management of the educational service. In September 2001 the council approved the preparation of a funding bid, entitled Education 2010. It was based on a comprehensive analysis of the current school provision and future needs, and had two main aims:

(a) to provide high quality educational facilities for school pupils and leavers of all ages in North Lanarkshire. It was emphasised that the new provision should contribute to raising educational attainment, promote life-long learning, provide value for money and be adaptable to future needs.

(b) to contribute to the social and economic regeneration of communities by providing a range of council services in the new refurbished school buildings.

1.3 In December 2001 the education committee approved an outline business case for the project to be submitted to the Scottish Executive. It included projects to the value of f 3 1 I m , including provision in all educational sections and selected community facilities. In anticipation of a reduced allocation, higher priority projects were also identified. In June 2002, the Executive announced a funding allocation of E 150m to North Lanarkshire.

1.4 In September 2002 the education committee selected the projects, and options where appropriate, which should proceed to formal consultation. It is important to note that the final decision on which projects to include in phase 2 of Education 2010 will not be made until the outcome of the consultation has been considered.

1.5 The committee agreed that the project covered by this document should be included in the formal consultation.

Summary of proposals in Education 2010

2.1 The Education 201 0 document proposed a replacement of primary school provision in Stepps, with Stepps Primary School moving to a new-build replacement school.

2.2 Subsequently, Hornshill Farm Road has been identified as the site for the new-build replacement school. It is also proposed that the new school should include additional provision for nursery classes.

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3 Current Proposals

3.1

4

4.1

4.2

4.3

5

5.1

5.4

It is proposed that:

(A) a new building be constructed to accommodate Stepps Primary School

(B) the new building include pre-5, community provision and a public library in addition to the facilities for the primary school. The pre-5 provision will be in addition to that provided at Stepps Nursery Centre, which will continue to operate in its existing building.

(C) when the new school building is ready for occupation, the current Stepps Primary School building be closed

(D) the pupils in attendance at the date of closure or who would subsequently have attended Stepps Primary School transfer to the new school building

(E) the catchment area for the new build replacement school will be reviewed in the future

(F) the site for the new school building be Hornshill Farm Road

(G) the new campus be designed, financed, built and maintained as part of the Education 2010 PPP project

Reasons for the proposal

Stepps Primary School has a secure long-term roll with usage rates in the existing building of 101 % and over 90% usage for the foreseeable future.

The school is one hundred years old, accommodated on a restricted site with some temporary accommodation and has no playing fields.

The current accommodation has fabric and campus inadequacies and, as well as unsuitability of the temporary accommodation, cannot effectively support current teaching methods or be adapted to do so. The school requires rebuilding to bring it up to modern standards .

Implications of the proposal

Benefits

All pupils and staff will benefit from the proposal. which is designed to facilitate modern teaching methods, future flexibility and enhanced security and safety. The school will be maintained to a high standard by the appointed private partner for the duration of the PPP contract. currently unavailable in the school, such as nursery provision and an all-weather, floodlit, outdoor sports area.

Pupils will be educated in a new building

The school will provide facilities

Transport

Most pupils will still live within one mile of the new school.

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In accordance with North Lanarkshire Council policy, free transport will be provided for all children living more than one mile away from the re-located school by the shortest safe walking route.

Year 2002 Stepps PS Roll 31 1

5.5 School rolls and zoning

2004 2006 2008 201 0 289 290 293 292

The rolls for 2002 and the up to date projected rolls for the school are as follows:

The capacity of the existing building is 315. The school is therefore running and will continue to run at high occupancy levels for the foreseeable future.

Projections of future rolls in primary schools are based on a rolling average of the P I , P2, P3 rolls over the previous three years.

All pupils of the school will transfer to the new building when it is completed.

However, at a future stage the council may review the catchment area of Stepps Primary School and Chryston Primary School. Any proposal will be the subject of a separate, formal consultation process.

A map of the current catchment area is attached in appendix 2.

5.6 Staff

(A) Education department staff (teachers and APT&C)

The new building will be staffed in accordance with current staffing standards, which are roll-related. Therefore, unless the roll changes all education department staff will transfer to the new campus when it is completed.

(B) Staff employed by other council departments

Some staff employed by Community Services may transfer to employment with the PPP provider. This will depend on the final contractual arrangements with the PPP contractor. It is anticipated that such a transfer would be on the basis of a ‘full relevant transfer’ under the terms of the TUPE regulations. The council intends that the PPP provider shall offer membership of a pension scheme which is broadly comparable to that currently enjoyed by the employees. Current proposals are that all services other than catering will be contracted out, but where it is deemed appropriate or proves best value, the council may decide to change this position. Trades Union representatives will continue to be briefed on these matters.

5.7 Finance

5.7.1 The staffing costs of the new schools will remain the same, assuming no roll changes. Similarly, all budget entitlements for educational supplies and services will be unaffected

5.7.2 It is not possible to directly compare the running costs of the existing and new buildings, because these are calculated differently. The private partner will provide full maintenance facilities throughout the life-time of the PPP contract. The partner company will also be responsible for the day-to-day running costs of the building, such as heating, lighting, cleaning and grounds maintenance. These costs will be negotiated as part of the contract with the selected partner.

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5.7.3 The current sites of Stepps Primary School and Stepps Library will be surplus to education department requirements. Disposal will provide a capital receipt to the council.

6 Education committee decisions:

6.1 The education committee has agreed to adopt a number of proposals related to this consultative document. These proposals form the basis of the formal consultation process, and are included in this document as Appendix 1.

7 Consultation

7.1 This consultative document is being issued to all interested parties. are therefore invited to send their views on these proposals to Murdo Maciver, Head of Service, Dept B7, Municipal Buildings, Kildonan Street, Coatbridge, no later than 13'h November 2002. A response sheet is attached to this consultation paper as Appendix 3. Alternatively, comments can be made on the website of North Lanarkshire Council at www. northlan .gov. uk

All interested parties

MMlJMlAF Sept 2002

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Appendix 1

The education committee has agreed to adopt the following proposals:

that in August 2006 or such earlier or later date as may be determined by the implementation of the PPP project Stepps Primary School be relocated in a new build replacement school sited at Hornshill Farm Road, Stepps

that all pupils in attendance at Stepps Primary School on the relocation date should attend the new-build replacement school

that the catchment area for the new build replacement school be reviewed in the near future

that pre-five provision be located at the new-build replacement school

that this consultative document be issued and made available to all interested parties

that all interested parties, including the relevant school boards, be invited to make written representations on the proposals to Murdo Maciver, Head of Service, Dept B7, Municipal Buildings, Kildonan Street, Coatbridge, no later than 1 3th November 2002

that the Director of Education be asked to prepare a report on the consultative process for consideration at a future meeting of the education committee.

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Appendix 2 North Lanarkshire Council 87

Stepps Primary School Chryston Primary School

Education 201 0 is a council project designed to upgrade school buildings.

The above school is included in the proposals. Copies of the consultation document relating to the proposals have been sent out from the school to parents and have also been distributed to other interested parties. The information can also be accessed at the local library and on the council’s web-site at www.northlan.gov.uk

If you wish to make any comment on the proposals please complete this form and forward it to the address indicated below.

~~

I wish to make the following observations on the proposals for the above named school:

Name

Address

Telephone number

Please circle as appropriate:

I have responded in my capacity as a:

Parent Pupil Member of School Staff

School Board Member Member of Clergy Resident

Other (Please indicate reason for interest)

Please return to: Murdo Maciver, Head of Service, Dept 619, Municipal Buildings, Kildonan Street, Coatbridge ML5 3BT

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Appendix 2

Location Map-B7 Stepps Primary School

V N

North Lanarkshire Council Appendix 3 Education 201 0 Consu Itat ion Feedback

Proposed change

Project ref:

Status quo

The proposal noted above is part of the Education 201 0 project. If you wish to provide feedback on the proposals please complete this form and send it to the address noted at the foot of this page.

Parent Staff member

Pupil Church

School Board chair Resident representative

1 Stepps Primary School

Trade union representative Local member

M.P./M.S.P.

Feedback on the proposals for the above project

Other (please indicate reason for interest)

I I I I I

1 Reasons for preferred option

~ ~

Any other comments, concerns or suggestions:

Title Forename Surname

Address Town

Thank you for your comments. Please return to: Murdo Maciver, Head of Service, Dept B7, Municipal Buildings, Kildonan Street, Coatbridge, ML5 3BT