The Council’s investment plans in the Education portfolio for the next financial year support Trafford’s corporate priority preserving and improving educational excellence and ensure that pupils are able to thrive and achieve their educational outcomes through fit for purpose and high quality learning environments.

The Council also has a general duty under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to provide a safe working environment and hence respond to condition issues, which have health and safety implications.

To support the achievement of this duty, and to meet any risks in relation to school conditions and access, the Council has received an indicative allocation of £1.644 million for Capital Maintenance for 2019/20.

That the proposals contained within the report be approved as the detailed capital programme for 2019/20, specifically:

1.     Agree to carry out condition and access work detailed in Appendix A to the report: Proposed Capital Projects, Capital Maintenance Programme, Tables 1 and 1a.

2.     Note the Locally Co-ordinated Voluntary Aided Programme (LCVAP) condition and access works detailed in Appendix A: Proposed Capital Projects LCVAP, Table 2.

1.     To ensure compliance with the Council’s statutory duties as highlighted in Section 4 of the report - Legal Position.

2.     To enhance educational facilities in Trafford schools for children and young people.

3.     To support Trafford’s corporate priority preserving and improving educational excellence and ensure that pupils are able to thrive and achieve their educational outcomes through fit for purpose and high quality learning environments.

1.     The implications of not progressing with the capital maintenance schemes are that there will be health and safety issues for schools that could potentially close the schools for a period whilst urgent remedial works are undertaken.

2.     The majority of large capital maintenance works are carried out in summer school holidays it is necessary to seek approval for these schemes, so that the design, planning and tendering of these schemes can be carried out ready for schools to re-open in September 2019 with minimum disruption to pupils and staff.  The procurement process aids competition and ensures resources are used in a planned and efficient manner.

3.     The Capital Maintenance grant is not ring-fenced and could be used for other Council priorities; however they meet the Council’s Corporate Priorities of “Services focussed on the most vulnerable people” and “Excellence in Education”. 

None.