Agenda item

Pre-decision Scrutiny (papers to follow)

Members were informed that this item would allow them to undertake pre-decision scrutiny on the Band B Redevelopment relating to the Fairwater Campus.

The Chairperson welcomed Councillor Sarah Merry (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education) and Wayne Ganderton (SOP Team)

Members were advised that the item would be split into two parts:

• Part one would be an open session and Members were strictly required to only ask questions on Appendices A, 1 and 3
• Part 2 would be a closed session to members of the public and would allow Members to ask questions on Appendices 2 and 4.

Members were requested to note that Appendix 2 and 4 to the report was exempt from publication on the basis that it contained information of the description set out in paragraphs 14 and 21 of Part 4 of schedule 12 A of the Local Government Act 1972 and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information and was exempt from disclosure as it contains information pursuant to paragraph 16 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Councillor Merry was invited to make an opening statement. She highlighted the fact that Fairwater Community Campus was one of the Council’s flagship capital projects that brought together Cantonian High School, Woodlands School and Riverbank School. At its meeting on 13 June 2019 the Cabinet agreed the publication of statutory notices to:

·         Increase the capacity of Cantonian High School from 6 forms of entry (6FE) to eight forms of entry (8FE) with sixth form provision for up to 250 pupils in new build accommodation;

·         Expand the Specialist Resource Base (SRB) for learners with an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), hosted at Cantonian High School from 20 to 30 places in purpose-built accommodation in the new school buildings;

·         Transfer Woodlands Special School to Cantonian’s existing site and increase the capacity from 140 places to 240 places in new build accommodation;

·         and Transfer Riverbank Special School to Cantonian’s existing site and increase the capacity from 70 to 112 places in new build accommodation.

Members were informed that the new school site would have state of the art facilities and would mean the end of temporary classrooms.  There had also been long standing historical issues with the school buildings and substantial investment to keep the school open a few years back. Members’ attention was drawn to the high-quality new sports facilities, the Community café within the campus, the showcase space and also the enterprise hub and importantly it would be the first Cardiff school to be operating net zero in line with Welsh Government standards.

Members noted that there were elements of the paper that were commercially sensitive.  The project was the largest of its kind in the United Kingdom and it was emphasised that three schools into one site was a huge undertaking on a secondary school site with the provision of well in excess of 150 ALN places and comprising 24,255 square metres.  Members noted that analysis of relatively comparative schemes across the country had taken place. Members noted that benchmarking had taken place with two sets of consultants and the Welsh Government, due diligence had taken place and there had been an extensive tendering exercise.  There was also a strong community focus with the project, net zero carbon and also a strong target around embodied carbon.

In terms of ALN places Members noted there would be a cost of £11.1m out of county places per annum if it was the case that the proposal was not proceeded which was quite significant and stark. Members noted there was a realisation that there was a lot of pressure on the Band B programme.  There was a recognition of the need to move towards a rolling programme and consider all priorities, all schemes under that proposal.

Following a CGI presentation of the Fairwater Campus Band B Redevelopment, Members were invited to ask questions and make comments; the discussion is summarised as follows:

• Members sought assurances relating to the delivery of the project and asked whether there was confidence that timescales were achievable; and that the project would remain at the quality proposed and would provide value for money.  Officers responded that the principles of value engineering were being adhered to - driving value out of the scheme without reducing quality.  There were specific standards inputted in the tendering process in terms of lux levels and decibels.  The electrical and mechanical systems had been completely reviewed and it was noted that if the current designs were compared to a year or so ago there would not be a significant difference.  Members were assured that there had been a strong vision for the project and that was used to test the value engineering.  Members agreed that given the scale of the project and its unique status they would be seeking to monitor and review the project regularly to ensure that there was satisfaction that the project was being delivered on time and to budget.

• Members agreed that the new campus would be an improvement on what had been in place previously and asked if there were any updates on social value aspects.  Officers responded that work was taking place with youth colleagues to establish a youth centre and additionally to support and provide enhancements for the football club. Plans were in place to establish a committee to look at resources to support social values.  Members noted that it had been a relatively slow start to date because of the current stage the project but actions were now starting to take place and Members welcomed an update in due course.

• Members enquired about the location of the community facilities and any safeguarding issues in relation to this.  Officers responded the Hub building and wellbeing hubs were located across the front and east side of site and would be opening for community use.  Members were informed that the main buildings would be zoned so when opening would be done in such a way as to not affect the whole site. It was recognised that there was a need to make sure safeguarding was in place for the Community Café out of hours and it also presented a learning opportunity.  Ultimately the design was such that there was no access to the rest of the school so safeguarding covered there.

• Members enquired regarding the parking on-site and whether this was sufficient and expressed concern about the impact on the community. Officers responded that the ratio for schools in terms of parking was one parking space for 30 children and with the special schools it was a slightly higher ratio.  It was anticipated there would be an increase in active travel with new builds and work was taking place with the trade unions in relation to parking. Parking at the campus site was currently in line with the SPG and consultation was taking place with Highways for additional parking at the ski centre.  Members also noted that there was parking available opposite the campus on the road which was not ideal but was why additional places had been provided.  Car shares schemes were also being developed and staff with any disability or need were given priority.  Members requested that when Fairwater Campus next came to Committee officers from Highways be included to give their views and perspective.

• Members sought clarification about the Welsh Government contribution to the project, and were informed that mainstream school contributions are usually 65%; and special schools at 75%; therefore this project would average approximately 70% WG contribution, with the remaining 30% being funded by the Council via borrowing and reserves.

• Members asked whether funds for future maintenance and upgrades to facilities at the site had been factored in and officers responded that this was an area that was being considered carefully at the moment.  Members sought assurance that maintenance and upgrade issues were being included.

• Members asked questions regarding surplus places; the impact of other developments (e.g. Plasdwr) and ensuring capacity at Cantonian; Woodlands and Riverbank during the transition period. Officers responded that with any proposal it was vital to ensure it was communicated to the local population so the local population could access it.  There would be a requirement to demonstrate the need for additional places and if the need was no longer present places would have to be deducted. 

RESOLVED: That the public be excluded from the meeting for Part 2 of the item to consider Appendices 2 and 4 in accordance with paragraphs 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

***End of Part 1 – webcasting stopped 18:08***

***webcasting re-commenced – 18:46***

Members welcomed the ambitious and exciting proposals for the Fairwater campus and the news that this would be the largest development of its kind in the UK and looked forward to monitoring the development closely going forwards.

RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward.