This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
The Isle of Wight Council’s focus remains the outcomes being achieved by Island pupils but recognises the need to address the inherited problems associated with this flagship school building.
The Executive will take an important step when it considers the results of a study it commissioned to identify the extent of the work needed to complete the project.
Prepared Hampshire by Property Services
The study, prepared by Hampshire County Council Property Services, was ordered by the Isle of Wight Council after the main contractor for the project went into administration and its parent company filed for bankruptcy leaving the council with the challenge of completing the building contract.
A challenge that was compounded by the bespoke nature of the building design and difficulties experienced during the initial construction phases.
The current administration is keen that that the details of the required works are fully considered by the Executive and then the Full Council to properly inform the actions the council must take to complete the project which began on site in 2011.
Breakdown of works
The report outlines initial cost estimates for essential works, separated into three categories:
- Essential completion works – including design and completion of demolition of the former school building and installation of pitches, landscaping works, defect rectification.
- Essential statutory works – including accessibility and fire compliance surveys and associated adaptations and works, mechanical and electrical defects investigations and rectification.
- Essential other works – including investigation into roof leaks and associated repairs, problems with windows and doors, and acoustics investigation and adaptation
Estimates for the essential completion and statutory works range from £3.4 million to £4.1 million and for the other works range from £1.4 million to £4.8 million.
Executive to consider approach
The Executive will consider recommending to Full Council how much the council should seek to invest in the first of a two stage approach to addressing all of the works identified in the study.
Councillor Richard Priest is the Executive member responsible for education and said:
“This council is committed to improving children’s services and education and much progress has been made in the past year. We have a duty to do all we can to give our children the best possible start in life and for this reason it is important that we continue to invest in this project to bring it to completion.
“I have written to all schools and colleges on the Island acknowledging the implications that this recommendation will have, and an independently chaired meeting at Cowes Enterprise College has been arranged to ensure the community is involved in the decision making process, and this meeting will inform that process.
“In addition, I hope to work with colleagues in this authority, including the Scrutiny Committee, to implement the lessons learnt from this project and strengthen arrangements for future projects. Our partnership with Hampshire County Council has already demonstrated the value of that approach.”
Full details out outlined in the paper below. Click on the full screen icon to see larger version.
Image: CJ Isherwood under CC BY 2.0
