Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Programme (Meal)

North Lanarkshire Council Report Education Committee Agenda item _________ approval noting Ref LMcM/EW Date 22/08/2018 Early Learning & Childcare Expansion Programme Physical Infrastructure Update Report From Head of Education (South) Email [email protected] Telephone 01236 812338 Executive Summary This report provides the Education Committee with an update on progress made in terms of asset capacity assessment and infrastructure development required to support the implementation of the early learning and childcare expansion requirements of the Children and Young People Act 2014, in respect of eligible 2 year olds and all 3 and 4 year olds. Recommendations The Education Committee is recommended to note:- (i) the Capital Funding allocation of £20.35m from Scottish Government to support North Lanarkshire Council’s physical infrastructure programme to deliver the expansion of early learning and childcare provision to 1140 hours per annum by 2020 ; (ii) the appointment of Hub South West to carry out Stage 1 and 2 of the development process as set out in section 2.1 and appendix 2 of this report the outcome of which will be the subject of future reports to the Education committee; and (iii) the proposed new build, repurposing, extension and increasing capacity through outdoor registration programme as outlined in section 2. (iv) the Service will monitor and review the progress of the programme on an ongoing basis and provide regular updates per the approved Council capital governance arrangements. Supporting Documents Council business The Early Learning & Childcare Expansion Programme plan to 2020 supports the delivery of the following Business Plan Priorities and Outcomes. Priority Outcomes • Improving economic opportunities and outcomes • Supporting all children to realise their full potential • Improving the health and care of communities • Improving the council’s resource base Guiding Principles • Improve our targeting of resources towards communities and individuals most at need • Enable communities and individuals to help themselves • Focus on preventative and early intervention activities • Better use of intelligence and observations • Encourage creative and innovative solutions across Improve outcomes for all children and young people and minimise the poverty related gap in attainment • Maximise employment opportunities through our education provision • Support our looked after children and young people to achieve their full potential • Provide support to our children and young people, which is early, effective, based on need and delivered in partnership Appendix 1 - Presentation to Programme Board (5 March 2018) Appendix 2 – Hub South West Development Process Appendix 3 – Site Selection Matrix Appendix 4 – 1140 Hours Infrastructure Establishment Data 1. Background 1.1 Members will be aware of the Scottish Government’s plan, developed in line with the terms of Children & Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, to expand early learning and childcare entitlement for all 3 and 4 year olds and eligible 2 year olds from 600 hours per year to 1140 hours per year by 2020. 1.2 The North Lanarkshire revised Early Learning and Childcare expansion funding bid, submitted for the Scottish Government on 7 March 2018, and reported to the Programme Board on 5 March 2018 (see Appendix 1), included a revised request for capital funds of £26.761m to build or refurbish premises, (£60.575m in the original bid). The Scottish Government has confirmed that the allocated funding to North Lanarkshire Council is £20.35m. This funding allocation does not include allowances for the purchase of land, demolitions or site abnormalities such as mine workings, contaminated land and services diversions. At this stage, therefore there is an affordability risk. Site investigations will be undertaken during Stage 1 which will inform whether significant overall programme value engineering will require to be undertaken. Section 4.1 of the report lists measures that could be considered should the need arise. The overall programme Risk Register is in the final stages of establishment together with associated Contingency Plan. 1.3 The Early Learning and Childcare expansion team has been working with the Assets and Procurement Solutions team to identify appropriate sites across North Lanarkshire. The initial drive to provide a local authority nursery place to children who live in SIMD 1 – 4 in the first instance, ensuring that all of these children can be allocated a place in a local authority early years setting within 1 km of their home is a strategy that has been maintained. 1.4 A New Project Request was submitted to Hub South West who appointed a Tier 1 contractor to support the Stage 1 process Development. It is anticipated that Stage 1 will be complete by mid-November 2018 with a maximum fee liability not exceeding £500,000. 1.5 The following are the additional early learning and childcare physical infrastructure requirements to support the delivery of the programme:- 9 new build family learning centres; 2 repurposing of council assets; and 7 adaptations/extensions to existing schools. 2. Report 2.1 Hub South West New Builds Hub South West has been approached to take forward the new build projects. Appendix 2 outlines the details of this engagement. The Hub South West model is seen as a strategic long−term approach to the procurement of public sector based infrastructure projects across Scotland. By delivering value for money projects through Hub South West, the development timescales would be met; while value-for-money could be ensured through a tested procurement route by early involvement of a contractor. As signatories to the Territories Partnership Agreement, the Council contract directly with the Hub; with the Hub sub-contracting with the successful tenderers and providing a project management role. Hub South West undertook a mini-tender exercise involving all the Tier 1 contractors currently on their supply chain. Following tender evaluation and interview, Morgan Sindall were selected to progress Stage 1 and 2 development of the nine new build projects (Appendix 2 sets out the details of the Development Process). Hub South West has also appointed Faithful & Gould as Project Managers and Commercial lead to ensure delivery of the initial two stages and oversee all commercial matters. The Council’s liability is limited to each Stage without obligation to proceed to the next Stage. Morgan Sindall has appointed a design team to take forward Stage 1. The Council is able to realise the benefit of this team’s experience as they developed the Scottish Futures Trust reference nursery projects. Asset & Procurement Solutions will manage the Stage 1 and 2 development process of this significant Ambition programme. 2.2 Indicative Programme Estimated programme milestone dates for the new builds are as follows: Stage 1 – delivery for approval by mid-November 2018; Stage 2 – delivery for approval is by May 2019; Financial Close by July 2019; First build commencement - July 2019; and Full completion by August 2020 2.2.1 Site visits have been undertaken and the following preferred locations identified (Appendix 3 sets out the site selection criterion and scores). Tables 1 to 4 detail the outcome of the site selection evaluation. Table 1 – Preferred Sites for New Builds Full Day Site Capacity Headcount Castle Street, Chapelhall 40 80 Petersburn/Craigneuk FLC, (old Petersburn PS) Airdrie 72 144 Coltness FLC (Innerleithen Drive), Wishaw 72 144 Cumbernauld Village FLC, Wishaw 32 64 Carbrain FLC (St Margaret of Scotland PS blaes pitch), Carbrain 48 96 Forgewood FLC, Fyfe Drive, Motherwell 72 144 Crindledyke, Wishaw 72 144 Heathery Park (Pitch), Wishawhill 48 96 Netherton (Grange Avenue), Netherton 40 40 Site investigations will be undertaken during Stage 1. 2.3 The two repurpose projects are:- Table 2 – Repurpose sites Potential Establishment Capacity Headcount Merrystone Base, Coatbridge 40 80 Mossend Senior Citizens Centre, (Hope Street Nursery), Mossend 32 64 2.4 The adaptations/extensions to existing primary schools identified are:- Table 3 – Adaptations/Extensions Full Day Establishment Capacity Headcount St Gerard’s PS, Bellshill 40 64 St Serf’s PS, Airdrie 40 56 St Augustine's PS, Coatbridge 48 48 Shawhead PS, Shawhead 24 24 Townhead PS, Townhead 40 40 Whitelees PS, Abronhill 40 40 Stane PS, Shotts 30 48 St Gerard’s Primary School adaptations are currently on site and are due for completion during 4th quarter of 2018. Hope Street nursery tenders have been returned and evaluated. Work began on site at the end of August with completion scheduled for early January 2019. St Serf’s Primary School designs and tender documents were completed and issued in August 2018. Appendix 4 contains the current list of all establishments from which future early learning and childcare provision will be delivered. 2.5 Statutory Process Early engagement with Planning, Roads and Building Standards will be undertaken. 2.6 Programme Build programmes for the repurpose and adaptation/extension projects are in preparation to ensure full delivery in accordance with the overall programme timeline. 2.7 Additional Capacity – Registration of Outdoor Space Greater utilisation of the registered outdoor space as an integral learning environment is a prominent feature of the Council’s plan. The Care Inspectorate will register outdoor space for 20% additional capacity where an early years setting demonstrates a clear understanding of outdoor learning. North Lanarkshire Council has a strong

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