Report
Education Committee
19 May 2015
DUMFRIES LEARNING TOWN – PROJECT UPDATE
1.
Purpose of Report
To provide Members with an update on the progress of Dumfries Learning Town Project,
specifically regarding the significant survey work and the development of design briefs and
decisions around Phase 2.
2.
Recommendations
Members are asked to:
2.1
to agree a presentation to detail the designs that are currently being developed;
2.2
note the completion of extensive building survey and site investigation works at all
of the project sites within Phase 2 of Dumfries Learning Town;
2.3
note the progress made on the development of the design briefs with the school
stakeholders for each of the Phase 2 projects;
2.4
note that various design options for the Phase 2 projects are being explored in order
to determine the best solution in terms of educational delivery and value for money;
2.5
agree that new build design options are progressed in respect of the David Keswick
Centre and Laurieknowe Primary School as referenced in 3.8; and
2.6
agree to receive a further report on the design proposals for the Phase 2 projects
within six months.
3.
Considerations
3.1
On 19 December 2013, Full Council agreed on the delivery option for Dumfries
Learning Town. This option was to replace accommodation and redevelop the four
secondary schools along with a Learning Hub to augment and increase provision for
learners in Dumfries. The projects will also provide accommodation for children with
additional support needs and will include four primary schools with issues regarding the
condition of their estate.
3.2
At Policy and Resource Committee on 18 March 2014, the ten year capital
investment strategy was agreed which included Dumfries Learning Town as a priority for
the Council. This secured funding to deliver Phase 1 of the project; comprising the
Learning Hub, St Joseph’s College and the North West Campus (Maxwelltown High
School, Lochside and St Ninian’s Primary Schools with community facilities).
3.3
It was agreed that Phase 2 (comprising Dumfries Academy with Loreburn Primary
School, Laurieknowe Primary School and Dumfries High School, David Keswick Centre
with Noblehill Primary) should also be planned for in conjunction with Phase 1, in order to
ensure the programme will deliver a cohesive, town-wide solution.
3.4
A New Project Request (NPR) for all of the projects that make up the Dumfries
Learning Town scheme was submitted to hub South West (hubSW) on 4 September 2014.
This NPR formally commenced the hubSW Stage 1 development process for the Phase 1
Report
Education Committee
19 May 2015
projects which involves the production of concept designs and associated cost reports.
Alongside the formal Stage 1 process the design teams have also been working on the
development of design solutions for the Phase 2 projects. Committee are asked to receive
a presentation on current stage of design for information.
3.5
Significant investigative and intrusive survey works have been carried out at all of
the Phase 2 sites in order to achieve a full and detailed understanding of the condition of
any existing buildings and the site conditions. This work has been extensive and has
provided the Council with a large volume of information regarding the sites. Further
analysis of the information is being carried out in order to inform the process of developing
the design options for the Phase 2 projects.
3.6
The schools for the future team, design team and the school representatives have
been working closely together to develop a design brief for each Phase 2 project which
leads to the creation of a concept design. This is an iterative process and will continue to
develop and become more detailed over the coming months. The school representatives
are working hard to inform and engage with staff and pupils to ensure that the design best
meets the needs and aspirations of the schools.
3.7
It is critical that the development of the design solution is carried out whilst taking
full cognisance of the detailed survey report information. Various design options for each of
the projects are being explored; taking into account the information already gathered, the
aspirations of the stakeholders, the need to ensure value for money is delivered, and the
educational drivers for the programme are fulfilled. This work includes the investigation of
new build solutions versus the refurbishment of the existing facilities within Phase 2, with
the aim of ensuring that the programme delivers long-term, sustainable educational
facilities for the Council.
3.8
Investigative and intrusive survey works at the David Keswick Centre and
Laurieknowe Primary School, together with initial options appraisals, space planning and
feasibility costings, indicate that new build delivers best value for money when compared
with refurbishment options. Options detailed in Appendix 1.
3.9
The project team will continue to engage with the users, other Council departments
and the wider stakeholders with an interest in the facilities to ensure that they are fully
informed of the options being explored. It is proposed that a further report will be brought
to Education Committee on completion of the design development work with the detailed
proposals for each of the Phase 2 projects.
4.
Governance Assurance
Members of the Corporate Management Team, the Education Services Management
Team, Head of Finance and Senior Manager Property & Architectural Services have been
consulted and are in agreement with the information contained in this report.
5.
Impact Assessment
The project presented in this report has been considered using the Council’s Impact
Assessment Toolkit. No negative Impacts have been identified. A copy of the Impact
Assessment summary sheet will be available on the following link:
http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=12093
Report
Education Committee
19 May 2015
Author(s)
NAME
DESIGNATION
CONTACT DETAILS
Frank Crilley
Senior Project Manager
[email protected]
Claire Renton
Strategic Lead in Physical Learning
Environments
[email protected]
Approved by
NAME
DESIGNATION
Colin Grant
Director, Children, Young People and Lifelong Learning
Appendices – 1
Appendix 1 – Options Paper
Background Papers
Full Council, 19 December 2013, Report Item 5, Dumfries Learning Town Outline Business
Case
http://egenda.dumgal.gov.uk/aksdumgal/users/public/admin/kab12.pl?cmte=COU&meet=1
17&arc=71
Policy and Resource Committee, 18 March 2014, Item 4, Development of Capital
Investment Strategy.
http://egenda.dumgal.gov.uk/aksdumgal/users/public/admin/kab14.pl?operation=SUBMIT&
meet=31&cmte=PRC&grpid=public&arc=71
Education Committee, 27 May 2014, Item 8, Dumfries Learning Town Update
http://egenda.dumgal.gov.uk/aksdumgal/users/public/admin/kab12.pl?cmte=EDU&meet=5
0&arc=71
Nithsdale Area Committee, 18 June 2014, Item 3, Dumfries Learning Town
http://egenda.dumgal.gov.uk/aksdumgal/users/public/admin/kab12.pl?cmte=NIT&meet=59
&arc=71
Education Committee, 10 July 2014, Item 6, Dumfries Learning Town – Learning Hub
update
http://egenda.dumgal.gov.uk/aksdumgal/users/public/admin/kab12.pl?cmte=EDU&meet=5
1&arc=71
Policy and Resources Committee, 18 November 2014, Item 6, Development of the Capital
Investment Strategy
http://egenda.dumgal.gov.uk/aksdumgal/users/public/admin/kab12.pl?cmte=PRC&meet=3
5&arc=71
Education Committee, 27 January 2015, Item 9, Dumfries Learning Town – Project Update
http://egenda.dumgal.gov.uk/aksdumgal/images/att35704.pdf