Cabinet Member decisions

Proposed decision:

 

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services is asked to:

 

i.       APPROVE the award of a contract for the provision of network and telecommunication connectivity services for a period of 4 years, from 8 August 2024 to 7 August 2028, with the option for a contract extension of a further 3 years from 8 August 2028 to 7 August 2031, which will continue to be managed by the Kent Public Services Network Partnership.

 

ii.      DELEGATE authority to the Director of Technology, to finalise terms of and award contracts to the successful provider and to approve, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, the exercise of any extensions permitted within the agreed contacts; and

 

iii.     DELEGATE authority to the Director of Technology to take other relevant actions, including but not limited to entering into contracts and other legal agreements, as required to implement the decision.

 

 

Reason for the decision

The Kent Public Services Network (KPSN) contract with Daisy Updata Communications Ltd (DUCL), part of Capita plc, is due to expire in August 2024. This decision will enable the award of the replacement contract for the next 4 years (maximum 7 years).

 

Background

KPSN is a self-funding, single ICT network delivering Wide Area Network (WAN), broadband and internet connectivity services to in excess of 1500 establishments, 500,000+ users, across 32 Kent partners (public sector organisations), including fire stations, schools, local Government offices, universities, colleges and health organisations.

 

In August 2014, KCC awarded a 10-year contract to DUCL to be the Service Provider of the KPSN network.

 

In September 2022, KPSN issued a Prior Invitation Notice (PIN) and conducted market engagement sessions with 8 network and communication suppliers, to ascertain an understanding of what the network and telecommunications market can provide and what has changed in terms of service offerings since the last contract was procured.

 

In August 2023, KPSN proposed a business case to KCC, recommending that the KPSN contract should be reprocured on a like for like basis via further competition on the YPO 976 framework, with a provision of continued flexibility to allow partners to migrate to KPSN provided Cloud services as and when required.

Options

A full options appraisal included direct award to an incumbent provider via a compliant framework, further competition via an alternative compliant framework and a full Public Contracts Regulations (PCR) Tender.

 

How the proposed decision supports the Interim Strategic Plan:

This decision will maintain continuity of critical business processes and services by continuing to provide connectivity and telecommunication services  to Kent County Council and 31 other Kent based public sector organisations.

 

KPSN are in the process of completing a full competitive procurement process which will ensure the market is thoroughly tested and ensures the awarded contract will continue to provide best value for money. 

 

 

 

 

As Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, I agree to:

i.              APPROVE the award of a contract for the provision of network and telecommunication connectivity services for a period of 4 years, from 8 August 2024 to 7 August 2028, with the option for a contract extension of a further 3 years, from 8 August 2028 to 7 August 2031, which will continue to be managed by the Kent Public Services Network Partnership.

ii.            DELEGATE authority to the Director of Technology, to finalise terms of and award contracts to the successful provider and to approve, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, the exercise of any extensions permitted within the agreed contacts; and

iii.           DELEGATE authority to the Director of Technology to take other relevant actions, including but not limited to entering into contracts and other legal agreements, as required to implement the decision.

Proposed decision:

 

To agree to the disposal of the property, the former Halfway Houses Primary School site, Southdown Road, Halfway, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 3BE and delegate authority to:

 

1.       The Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, to finalise the terms of the disposal; and

 

2.       The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of all necessary or desirable documentation required to implement the above.

 

 

Reason for Decision:

 

The property is surplus to the Council’s operational requirements and due to the projected value, a key decision is required as per Kent County Council’s constitution.

 

Background Information:

 

The site is a former school building and playing field. It has been declared surplus by the Council as it is no longer required for operational purposes. The school was relocated to a new purpose-built facility on another site.

 

The Council intends to progress with the disposal of the site in line with its adopted Freehold Asset Disposal Policy. Initial advice provided from agents regarding anticipated values, indicates that a key decision is required.

 

Consent has been gained from the Secretary of State for Education, allowing Kent County Council to progress with a disposal, given the former education use of the site.

 

A decision is sought to authorise the disposal of the site and to delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure to finalise the terms, subject to consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member.

 

Options:

 

The Council has an overarching duty under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 to secure not less than best consideration in respect of property disposals. It also has a fiduciary duty to the residents of Kent.

 

The property is not required for the Council’s operational purposes and has been considered surplus to education needs following the relocation of the school to the new site.  Since vacation of the school site, alternative service needs were considered, and none have been identified. A disposal provides an opportunity to reinvest capital in agreed priorities, as set out in the Council’s Capital programme.

 

How the proposed decision supports the County Council’s Strategic Plan:

 

By securing a capital receipt to fund the Capital programme and to streamline the Council’s property portfolio to achieve financial and efficiency benefits in line with appropriate policy.

 

 

 

 

 

As the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, I agree to the Disposal of former Halfway Houses Primary School site, Southdown Road, Halfway, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 3BE and delegate authority to:

1.    The Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, to finalise the terms of the disposal; and

2.    The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of all necessary or desirable documentation required to implement the above.

Proposed decisions:

 

(i)    ACCEPT the National Highways Designated Funds grant of £2.262 million towards the MaaS Ebbsfleet pilot and associated sustainable transport package

 

(ii)  DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, and Corporate Director of Finance, to review and agree the required terms and conditions to enter into the necessary grant arrangements for National Highways Designated Funds

 

(iii)  ACCEPT  that the grant is paid monthly in arrears of spend by National highways as part of the KCC/National Highways Lower Thames Crossing Designated Fund.

 

(iv) APPROVE the procurement of a MaaS partner who will be responsible for the delivery of MaaS Multimodal Transport Technology platform and operate the MaaS scheme on KCC’s behalf, subject to CPOB and agreed terms and conditions

 

(v)   DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport to negotiate, finalise and enter into relevant contracts to implement the required Contract Award including the award of any future contract extension(s), subject to satisfactory performance

 

(vi)DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport, to take other actions, including but not limited to entering into associated MaaS contracts including MaaS marketing and behavioural change campaign elements. As well as National Highways funded associated sustainable transport procurements and other legal agreements, as required to implement the decision

 

Further Information:

 

Under decision 23/00027 the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport agreed to accept the DfT BSIP offer of £18,985,735, for delivery of agreed initiatives, in the year 23/24. To ensure that the MaaS project as one of the 15 originalBSIP initiatives, can progress to time, a further decision is required for approval toprocure services to spend the DFT BSIP funding.

 

MaaS has also secured National Highways Designated Funds. As the NH grant agreement is over the £1 Million threshold, this requires a key decision with a short timeline for spending.

 

Background:

 

MaaS is one of the fifteen initiatives within Kent’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) programme of work.  MaaS and associated projects are four of the nine projects as part of the LTC National Highways Designated Funds Programme. 

 

The aim of MaaS schemes is to create a platform for sustainable travel to encourage modal shift away from private car ownership to more use of public transport, shared transport and active travel to tackle car dependency, reduce transport CO2 emissions and air pollution.  

 

MaaS is a new type of service so KCC will need to conduct procurements for a range of new services using a mix of external funding sources. (No KCC funding).  The new service provided to residents and visitors travelling in or out of the MaaS Ebbsfleet zone will enable delivery of benefits aligned with KCC strategy for environment and social outcomes.

 

This will be achieved through the procurement of a MaaS Partner who will provide the MaaS multimodal transport technology platform and will integrate real time data from transport operators into the digital platform. The MasS partner will also operate the MaaS scheme on a day-to-day basis on KCC's behalf. The other required services also market and promote the MaaS scheme to game behavioural change for travel in or out of the initial MaaS Ebbsfleet pilot area and integrate additional travel modes into the mass technology to enhance customer effectiveness offering a compelling new customer offer

 

The pilot will focus on the geographical area of MaaS Ebbsfleet zone including Ebbsfleet

Garden City, Dartford and Gravesend town centre areas which will operate from April 2025 to

end March 2028 .

 

Options (other options considered but discarded):

 

Option 1 Do nothing :  Discarded as it perpetuates the current state of transport CO2 emissions, air pollution and travel congestion pollution in Ebbsfleet and therefore does not contribute to KCC’s Environment Strategy.

 

Option 2 Service Solution KCC to tender for MaaS technology platform only, excluding the requirements of a MaaS operator with KCC operating the scheme This option is discarded as currently KCC have no experience of doing this therefore expertise from a MaaS partner operating the scheme is needed.

 

Option 3 KCC fully or part funding of MaaS. Discarded due to KCC’s financial situation over the last year.   Various external funding grants have been pursued instead to secure 100% funding for the MaaS Ebbsfleet pilot

 

Option 4 Do maximum and roll out of MaaS across Kent. This option has been discarded pending outcomes of the pilot scheme but the long term ambition continues to be for the roll-out of MaaS across Kent

 

How the proposed decision supports Framing Kent’s Future 2022-2026: (https://www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/strategies-and-policies/corporate-policies/our-council-strategy)

 

MaaS directly supports the commitment to work towards Kent being Net Zero by 2050

We will:

 

8. Turn the curve on transport emissions and road pollution by developing approaches to road space, parking, public transport and electric vehicle infrastructure with a presumption towards more sustainable and low carbon travel modes.

 

7.  Support residents and businesses to take action to reduce their carbon footprint.

 

Additionally MaaS supports commitment to provide Infrastructure for Communities –

 

We will:

 

6 Incentivise people to choose alternative travel options to the car by prioritising the maintenance and creation of safe and accessible walking routes and cycle lanes and providing bus priority where appropriate.

 

8 Work with our partners through the Kent Enhanced Bus Partnership and with Government to explore sustainable and commercially viable options for providing bus transport to meet people’s needs, making the best use of Bus Service Improvement Plan funding.

 

The proposed decision also supports the following strategies and plans in which MaaS is a named initiative in:

 

·   Kent’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (Kent’s Bus Strategy)

·   Kent Environment Strategy (K&M ELES Action Plan),

·   H&T Divisional Operating Plan 23/24 and 24/25

·   Emerging Kent’s LTP5

 

How the proposed decision supports: Securing Kent’s Future:democracy.kent.gov.uk/documents/s121235/Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery Strategy.pdf

 

The project does not place any additional financial burden on KCC as it is 100% externally funded.Although some funding support will be needed for cash flow until reimbursementsare made in arrears by National Highways as part of the KCC/National Highways LTC Designated Funds Programme.

 

 

 

As Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, I agree to:

 

(i)       ACCEPT the National Highways Designated Funds grant of £2.262 million towards the Introduction of MaaS Ebbsfleet and associated sustainable transport package.

 

(ii)       DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, and Corporate Director of Finance, to review and agree to the required terms and conditions to enter into the necessary grant arrangements for National Highways Designated Funds

 

(iii)      ACCEPT that the grant is paid monthly in arrears of spend by National Highways as part of the KCC/National Highways Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) Designated Funds Programme

 

(iv)      APPROVE the start of the procurement process of a MaaS partner who will be responsible for the delivery of MaaS Multimodal Transport Technology system and to operate and maintain the MaaS scheme for and on KCC’s behalf

 

(v) DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport to negotiate, finalise and enter into relevant contracts to implement the required Contract Award(s) including the award of any future contract extension(s), subject to satisfactory performance

 

(vi)      DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport, to take other actions, including but not limited to entering into associated MaaS contracts including MaaS marketing and behavioural change campaign elements and National Highways funded associated sustainable transport procurements and other legal agreements, as required to implement the decision

Proposed Decision:

 

(a)          Agree to the adoption and implementation of the policy on moving traffic enforcement; and

 

(b)          Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways & Transport ,to make revisions as appropriate to the policy and take relevant actions to implement the decision

 

Reason for the decision:

 

KCC has been designated the powers to enforce moving traffic contraventions (such as driving through a ‘no entry’ sign, or on routes meant for buses only) under civil law, as a last resort when all reasonable engineering steps have been taken to design out driver non-compliance.  Marston Holdings Limited have been selected as the best supplier to assist KCC in fulfilling responsibilities to enforce moving traffic on Kent’s roads, and a policy is needed to provide guidance on how KCC intend to apply the Traffic Management Act Part 6 legislation to the Kent highway network.

 

Background:

 

KCC was granted the Designation Order by parliament on 15th July 2022, to enforce moving traffic offences.  KCC are now legally able to enforce moving traffic contraventions.  The policy sets out the approach to be followed by authorised officers when making decisions in respect of KCC’s compliance and enforcement activities.

 

Options:

 

It is not a statutory requirement of the Designation Order that Local Authorities should have a policy in place for moving traffic enforcement.  However, officers have compiled the policy document in order to provide clarity and transparency on how KCC use these powers; ensure enforcement is consistent and proportionate to the contraventions involved; encourage an element of flexibility through technology and human input to ensure Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are not unfairly issued or pursued; set out clearly what is expected from the public in terms of compliance.

 

 

How the proposed decision supports Framing Kent’s Future 2022-2026:

 

The moving traffic enforcement policy supports the policy objectives of Infrastructure for Communities by ensuring people have access to safe and efficient travel options, and Environmental Step Change through turning the curve on transport emissions and supporting public transport provision.

 

 

As Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, I agree to:

 

(i)             the adoption and implementation of the policy on moving traffic enforcement and

 

(ii)       delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways & Transport, to make revisions as appropriate to the policy and take relevant actions to implement the decision.

Proposed Decision:

 

The Cabinet Member is asked to:

 

1.           approve the proposed process for the management and awarding of capital funding related to deliver of the extended early years funded entitlements;

2.           approve the proposed process for the management and awarding of capital funding and revenue monies related to deliver of the wraparound childcare aspiration;

3.           authorise the Director of Education and Skills to adapt these processes, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Education and Skills and Integrated Children’s Services, as necessary to ensure effective delivery.

 

Further Information:

 

The Spring Budget announced a range of measures to support early education and help parents with childcare so they can return to work more easily. This included new funded entitlements:

 

1. From April 2024, eligible working parents of 2-year-olds can access up to 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year.
2. From Sept 2024, eligible working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3-year-olds can access up to 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year.
3. From Sept 2025, eligible working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3-year-olds can access up to 30 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year.

 

The Government also announced its ambition that, by 2026, all parents and carers of primary school-aged children who need it will be able to access term time childcare in their local area from 8:00 AM- 6:00 PM. This is known as wrap-around childcare.

 

Additional funding is being made available to the County Council via the Early Years Funding Block to deliver the new entitlements from 1 April 2024..

 

Additionally a Wraparound Childcare grant is being provided, during the three financial years of 2023-24 to 2025-26.  The County Council is to receive a maximum of £52k in 2023-24, £4.1m in 2024-25 and £1.9m (provisional) in 2025-26. 

 

To support the expansion of the funded entitlement for working age parents and to achieve the ambitions of the wraparound childcare programme, the DfE is also making available some capital funding to support place development. The County Council has been allocated a total of £2.66m capital funding. The DfE is expecting approximately 80% to be spent on expanding funded entitlements and 20% on wraparound childcare provision.

 

The processes and criteria for awarding capital funding to providers to enable them to deliver these services, and the revenue funding to help set up sustainable wraparound childcare provision need to be approved.  This is to ensure consistency, transparency and fairness.

 

The proposed decision supports the key priority “Levelling up Kent” within the ‘Framing Kent’s Future (2022-26)’.   Supporting the Kent economy to be resilient and successful depends upon having a flexible, adaptable, talented workforce.  Enabling parents to be active in the workforce is an essential component of this.

 

The proposed decision supports “Securing Kent’s Future – budget recovery strategy”.  The additional activity is funded by Government Grant, with allowances within these for the County Council’s delivery costs.  No additional funds from KCC are required.  Supporting families to work and be independent of state support assists the County Council’s budget position. 

 

Financial Implications:

 

The revenue and capital funding are grant allocations to the Authority and must be spent in accordance with the grant conditions.  The processes set out in the report to the Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee will ensure these grants are spent accordingly, and are not overspent to ensure there is no financial pressure on the Authority.

The Authority’s delivery costs were covered in the paper presented to this Cabinet Committee on 26 January 2024.  For ease of reference these are: 

·         the Authority’s cost of delivering the current and new entitlements are  expected to be fully covered by the early years block funding in 2024-25 through retention of up to 5% of the grant. For 2023-24, the DfE has provided a separate one-off grant of £233,579 to support the Local Authority’s activities required ahead of the 1^st April to deliver the new entitlement offer.

·         The 2023-24 Wraparound provision grant allocation is expected to fund the Authority’s central delivery costs for this initiative, and 11% of future year grant allocations can be used for this purpose in subsequent years.

 

 

 

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree to:

 

1. authorise the allocation of £14,900,000 from the Basic Need capital budget for the expansion of Rosherville Church of England Academy, London Road, Northfleet, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 9JQ, increasing the Published Admission Number (PAN) from 20 places per year group to 60 places per year group, facilitated by a relocation onto a new site on Crete Hall Road, Northfleet, DA11 9AA, for September 2025.
2. delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure to, in consultation with the Director of Education, enter into any necessary contracts or other legal agreements, as required to implement this decision; and
3. agree for the Director of Infrastructure to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements, with authority to enter variations as envisaged under the contracts.

Proposed decision:

 

(i)             AGREE to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to accept £9.8m capital and Memorandums of Understanding for supporting revenue funding from DLUHC to support nutrient neutrality mitigation works in East Kent.

 

(ii)            DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, and Corporate Director of Finance, to review and agree to the required terms and conditions to enter into the necessary grant arrangements.

 

(iii)          AGREE for the Director for Growth and Communities to bring a strategy for delivery of nutrient neutrality for adoption to Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee prior to claiming the capital funding.

 

Reason for Decision

To agree to enter into  Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the government to access £9.8m capital funding and £430k revenue funding to tackle nutrient neutrality issues in East Kent.

Background.

The requirement for nutrient neutrality in the catchment for the Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve is having a significant impact on the delivery of homes in East Kent.

The government is offering £9.8m of capital for nutrient neutrality mitigation in East Kent along with revenue grants to support the delivery of the strategy.

KCC has to sign MoUs with the government to access the grants available. Further rounds of decision-making limit the exposure to risk of signing these MoUs.

A decision about the adoption of a nutrient mitigation strategy will be brought to GEDCCC in future prior to claiming the capital funding available.

Options

To not accept the grant offer. This option is not recommended. Nutrient neutrality is a significant constraint on housing development and requires significant mitigation to offset. Without government support there is unlikely to be sufficient mitigation provided in the catchment to unlock housing in East Kent.

Agree to enter into  the MOUs to access the grants to enable a programme to be developed and delivered. This option is recommended.

How the proposed decision supports Framing Kent’s Future 2022-2026: (https://www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/strategies-and-policies/corporate-policies/our-council-strategy)

 

Under priority 2 – Tackling nutrient neutrality will support commitments for new housing developments to provide “the appropriate physical and social infrastructure necessary to support new and existing communities’ quality of life.” 

 

Under priority 3 – Anyresidual funding must be invested in measures to aid the restoration of Stodmarsh to a favourable conservation status; and secondarily the objectives of sustainable development and promoting public access to nature.

How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future: Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery Strategy.pdf

 

The delivery of nutrient neutrality programme meets the best value objectives in Securing Kent’s Future as it does not burden KCC with any additional financial commitments. It also protects S106 contributions as it mitigates site development viability issues.

 

Legal Implications  

 

The MoUs are not legally binding but represent a future policy commitment to deliver against any conditions set out within.  However, they do not give rise to legally binding contractual obligations.

 

 In Summer 2020, Natural England issued advice to the local planning authorities on the River Stour (Canterbury, Ashford, Folkestone & Hythe, Maidstone and Swale) that meant new developments must not increase the level of nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus in the River Stour, as they are having a negative impact on Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve. To meet planning requirements, proposed new developments with overnight accommodation must demonstrate that the development achieves nutrient neutrality i.e. the level of nutrients in the river is the same after the development as it was before.

 

All legal documents required for the preparation, taking and implementation of the decision will be reviewed by legal services as part of the key decision process to ensure all legal obligations are understood and any risks mitigated appropriately.

 

DLUHC require KCC to sign the MOUs in advance of releasing the grant funding. Additionally, the release of the capital funding will require a further key decision by the Cabinet Member to adopt a strategy to deliver nutrient mitigation.

 

As Cabinet Member for Economic Development, I agree to:

 

(i)       AGREE to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to accept £9.8m capital and Memorandums of Understanding for supporting revenue funding from DLUHC to support nutrient neutrality mitigation works in East Kent.

 

(ii)       DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, and Corporate Director of Finance, to review and agree to the required terms and conditions to enter into the necessary grant arrangements.

 

(iii)      AGREE for the Director for Growth and Communities to bring a strategy for delivery of nutrient neutrality for adoption to Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee prior to claiming the capital funding.

Proposed decision:

 

The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills is asked to:

 

1. authorise the allocation of £14,900,000 from the Basic Need capital budget for the expansion of Rosherville Church of England Academy, London Road, Northfleet, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 9JQ, increasing the Published Admission Number (PAN) from 20 places per year group to 60 places per year group, facilitated by a relocation onto a new site on Crete Hall Road, Northfleet, DA11 9AA, for September 2025.
2. delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure to, in consultation with the Director of Education, enter into any necessary contracts or other legal agreements, as required to implement this decision; and
3. agree for the Director of Infrastructure to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements, with authority to enter variations as envisaged under the contracts.

 

Reason for the decision

On 11/03/2022, through Decision number 22/00009, the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills agreed the proposal, subject to final financial information.  This proposal has now been costed and agreement is now being sought by the Assistant Director North Kent, Ian Watts, for funding approval.

 

The Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC) is overseeing three new developments in Northfleet, Gravesham.  These developments are known as Cable Wharf, Harbour Village and Grove Road.  The total of new housing is anticipated to generate between 1FE and 1.5FE of new primary demand.  Analysis of the provision in the Northfleet planning group indicates that there is insufficient capacity to accommodate this demand.

 

The proposal addresses two issues.  That of increasing the primary provision in the area and providing Rosherville Church of England Academy with a new site and modern buildings, within the Cable Wharf development, but less than 200 metres from the existing school site.  This issue has been mentioned in previous Kent Commissioning Plans.

 

Background

Rosherville Church of England Academy is a small 20 PAN primary school, sited on a challenging site on top of a quarry cliff.  The site is unsuitable for several reasons.  It is restricted by topography on the south and east boundaries, and by the B2175 (London Road) to the north.  The site is made up of several smaller parts that have separate freeholders, including the Church Wardens of the Diocese of Rochester.

 

The school buildings are either very old or in need of replacement, with the main building being of Victorian era.  The remaining buildings require constant maintenance to remain fit for purpose.  Whilst there is no immediate danger to the school buildings on the existing site, the chalk cliffs are sheer, at about 12m high.  The school cannot expand on its existing site.

 

With a PAN of 20, Rosherville Church of England Academy has to carefully manage smaller class sizes to remain a viable school.  Increasing the school’s PAN to 1FE and then again to 2FE will make the school much more financially viable and support the future of the school.

 

As previously reported to CYPE Cabinet Committee, to further support the new developments in the area, the new school will also include a 26 place nursery and additional SEN space for a Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) or similar.

 

Following an inspection that took place in September 2022.  Ofsted deems Rosherville Church of England Academy to be a ‘GOOD’ school.   The school is rated ‘OUTSTANDING’ by SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) in their most recent inspection.

 

It is a popular school with parents.  The school is part of the Aletheia Academies Trust.

 

There is one other alternative option to provide additional provision in the locality, that of expanding Lawn Primary School.  This alternative was rejected, because Lawn Primary School, is also situated on a very small site and will encounter challenging Highways constraints along with the logistical challenge of needing to reconfigure existing buildings before introducing additional accommodation on to the already constrained site.

 

In reviewing the options for introducing additional provision into the area, it was acknowledged that a completely new 2FE school would come with a possibility of creating overprovision in the area, which could have a detrimental effect on Rosherville CE Academy and other local schools.  Therefore, by relocating Rosherville CE Academy into the new building, it would result in the provision of 280 additional primary places rather than 420, thus mitigating the risk of overprovision whilst providing the academy with new, fit for purpose premises.

 

If no further action is taken in the longer term, Kent County Council will find it extremely difficult to provide sufficient primary school places in the Northfleet planning group.

 

Securing Kent’s Future

 

This proposal will help to maintain KCC’s strategic role in supporting schools in Kent to deliver accessible, high quality education provision for all families and supports avoidance of more significant costs from possible closure of the school.

 

KCC, as the Local Authority (LA), has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places are available.  This duty applies to Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, as well as mainstream settings.  The County Council’s Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent 2024-28 is a five-year rolling plan which is updated annually.  It sets out KCC’s future plans as Strategic Commissioner of Education Provision across all types and phases of education in Kent. A copy of the latest plan can be viewed from this link:

 

https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/education-provision/education-provision-plan

 

 

Financial Implications

 

Capital:

 

Feasibility studies have been undertaken and identified that the cost of the scheme will be £14.9m. The project attracts a high cost for several reasons, including Compliance with DfE Net Zero principles and EDC requests to conform to Ebbsfleet Garden City design principles.

 

Project Cost Breakdown 

Description	Value
2FE Basic Need – design &build, including Nursery and SRP space	£11,094,000
Compliance with DfE OS 2022 (including Net Zero)	£1,496,000
S106 obligations	£967,000
KCC direct costs	£419,000
S106 Risk items*	£440,000
Contingency (including costed risk register/EWN)**	£484,000
Total Project Budget (proposed ROD value)	£14,900,000

 

It is the view of KCC officers that these costs represent the worst-case scenario, with all possible risks needing to be addressed.  As the build progresses it is hoped that all risks can be mitigated at a lower cost, thus resulting in some saving against the proposed value of £14.9m

 

The sum relating tocompliance with DfE OS 2022 (including Net Zero) includes a range of additional features over previous new school specifications to meet DfE new build requirements, such as Triple glazing / PV / Green roof / M&E upgrades / a range of other minor improvements.

 

The Section 106 obligations relate to EDC requirements, including a 3G Pitch to enable wider community use of the site, enhanced public use facilities within the building and an entrance plaza.

 

Given this scheme is more expensive that a standard 2FE Primary School build, KCC Officers and colleagues from Aletheia Academies Trust have work hard to maximise external funding to mitigate the impact on the Council’s own Capital Budget.  The table below, shows the anticipated funding for this scheme:

 

 

 

Funding Source

Amount	Source
£6,000,000 (estimate at time of reporting)	DfE Contribution (Schools Rebuild Programme)
£420,000 (estimate at time of reporting)	EDC Sports Grant (for inclusion of a 3G pitch)
£3,556,800	S106 Developer Contributions
£4,923,200	CYPE Capital Budget (balance)

 

Due to the condition of the buildings on the existing Rosherville CE Academy site, the Trust, with the support of KCC submitted a bid to the DfE under the School’s Rebuild Programme (SRP).  This was successful and latest indications from Senior DfE Officers are that the allocation will be just in excess of £6,000,000.

 

The Developer Contributions sum represents what has been secured through signed agreements to date.  Not all has been banked due to payment being linked to housing delivery triggers, but the developments they relate to are underway and receipts have started to come into the Council.

 

The EDC are currently consulting on other developments in the Northfleet/Ebbsfleet area.  Where appropriate, any developer contributions derived from those new developments can be attributed to this scheme in addition.

 

To inform forward planning and robust budget monitoring of the BN Capital Programme a sum, in excess of £15m, has been earmarked within the programme for this scheme.  These new costs, therefore, represent a small saving against that provision.

 

The Rosherville site on London Road is not owned by KCC so no capital receipt can be received.  

 

An allowance of up to £2,500 may be payable to the school, to outfit each new teaching room with appropriate ICT equipment, such as touch screens or projection equipment.  This will be met from the overall Capital allocation for this project.

 

Revenue

Should the scheme progress, £6,000 per newly provided learning space, would be provided towards the cost of furniture and equipment, such as tables, desks, chairs, cabinets and learning resources.

 

The school would also receive funding for the additional pupils that it admits in line with the funding allocated to schools through KCC’s Schools Funding Formula.

 

Both of these revenue allocations will be met from the Growth Funding provision held within the dedicated school's grant.

 

Human

The school will appoint additional staff as required; utilising revenue funding allocated through the Schools Funding Formula for these additional pupils.

 

 

 

 

 

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree to:

 

I.          authorise the allocation of £14,900,000 from the Basic Need capital budget for the expansion of Rosherville Church of England Academy, London Road, Northfleet, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 9JQ, increasing the Published Admission Number (PAN) from 20 places per year group to 60 places per year group, facilitated by a relocation onto a new site on Crete Hall Road, Northfleet, DA11 9AA, for September 2025.

II.         delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure to, in consultation with the Director of Education, enter into any necessary contracts or other legal agreements, as required to implement this decision; and

III.        agree for the Director of Infrastructure to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements, with authority to enter variations as envisaged under the contracts.

Proposed decision:

 

The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills is asked to:

 

1. Approve theallocation of £1,416,000from the Children’s, YoungPeople andEducation Annual Planned Enhancement Budget to permit the required repair works at Vigo Village School.

 

2. Delegate authorityto theDirector of Infrastructureto, inconsultation with theDirector of Education, enter into anynecessary contracts or other legal agreements, as required to implement this decision; and

 

3. Agreefor theDirector of Infrastructureto bethe nominatedAuthority Representativewithin the relevant agreements, with authority to enter variations as envisaged under the contracts.

 

 

Reason for the decision

 

Kent County Council (KCC), as the relevant Local Authority, is responsible for the maintenance of Community and Voluntary Controlled school buildings in Kent.  This responsibility is taken seriously, with continuous maintenance and modernisation programmes in place to ensure that the school estate is fit for purpose.  Included within these programmes are routine building checks that identify possible future maintenance issues with accommodation.

 

Following condition surveys, subsequent referrals, and extensive interim patching works, Vigo Village School’s roof has deteriorated and is now in need of a full replacement.

 

Background

 

Vigo Village School is a 1FE school within the village of Vigo, Meopham.  The school was built circa 1972 and extended in 1976.  The building is single storey, comprising masonry walling with shallow pitched roofs.  At the end of the roofs are concrete parapets, many of these have been overlaid by roofing felt.

 

The school have been experiencing leaks for several years in various areas becoming more numerous, more substantial and damaging to the internal fabric of the building.  At the end of 2023, the leak in the kitchen roof caused the school kitchen to close temporarily until measures were put in place.  The school is now serving hot meals which are currently being supplied by another school. 

 

The existing pitched roofs feature a Pantile roof covering which has generally reached the end of its serviceable life and is generally unsuitable for the abnormally low pitch of the existing roofs which varies between 11? and 16?.  The school also has a history of unauthorised intruders gaining access onto the roofs damaging the fragile clay tiles which are not designed for foot traffic.

 

The proposal is replacing the existing Pantile roof coverings to all pitched roofs with a standing seam Zinc roof covering by the manufacturer VMZinc.  This proposed system is suitable for use with the existing shallow roof pitches and more suitable to withstand instances of foot traffic.  The full roof replacement is now recommended in order to keep the school operational and to avoid further internal damage.

 

The new roof will be a metal standing seam system that will last for 50 to 100 years.  It is not possible to carry out any further remedial or patching works due to the deterioration of the original roofing materials and a replacement has been deemed essential.  Therefore, the project needs to progress within short timescales to decrease the risk of the wet winter weather impacting the roof further and avoid water ingress from making parts of the school building unusable.

 

The work is scheduled to commence in April 2024 during the Easter Break and with a forecast of 12 weeks, completion is proposed for end of June 2024

 

Securing Kent’s Future

 

This proposal will help to maintain KCC’s strategic role in supporting schools in Kent to deliver accessible, high quality education provision for all families.  This proposal will help to maintain KCC’s strategic role in supporting schools in Kent to deliver accessible, high quality education provision for all families and supports avoidance of more significant costs from possible closure of the school.

 

Financial Implications

 

The combined cost is estimated at £1,416,000 which is inclusive of works, fees, and contingency.  With a roofing project the potential for additional costs to be identified are higher than in other projects as not all the roof’s substructure is visible until the tiles are removed.  It is therefore appropriate and prudent for an allowance of an additional 20% above tender costs to be made.

 

The cost for instructing the winning tender is as follows.

 

Proposed Tender Costs: £1,050,000.00

KCC Contingency: Allowance £150,000

Professional Fees: £216,000.00

 

Total Forecast Project = £1,416,000.00 (inc. 20% contingency)

 

The funds will be allocated from the CYPE Annual Planned Enhancement Programme for April 23 - 24, the allocation has been made by officers and the work is affordable within the budget of £13,283m.

 

In order to facilitate this increase in budget, a number of nonessential schemes have been moved from this year’s programme and place onto the Forward Management Plan for 2024-2025.

Legal Implications

 

The contracting for the project will be managed by the Director of Infrastructure.  All works will be fully compliant with the building and planning regulations.

 

 

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree to:

 

1. Approve theallocation of £1,416,000from the Children’s, YoungPeople andEducation Annual Planned Enhancement Budget to permit the required repair works at Vigo Village School.
2. Delegate authorityto theDirector of Infrastructureto, inconsultation with theDirector of Education, enter into anynecessary contracts or other legal agreements, as required to implement this decision; and
3. Agreefor theDirector of Infrastructureto bethe nominatedAuthority Representativewithin the relevant agreements, with authority to enter variations as envisaged under the contracts.

Proposed decision

To agree to pursue a procurement process to contract Inward Investment and Visitor Economy services for Kent & Medway for two years. The value of the contract includes a  financial reduction from previous years.

 

Reason for the decision

Current contractual arrangements with Locate in Kent, Kent & Medway’s Inward Investment Agency and Visit Kent, Kent & Medway’s Destination Management Organisation and Local Visitor Economy Partnership come to an end on 30 June 2024. In order to ensure that Kent & Medway benefit from inward investment and visitor economy services in future, these services need to be re-procured.

 

Background:

Many areas across the UK have inward investment services and destination management organisations in place to promote local opportunities and maximise external investment and visitor spend to boost the local economy.

 

Kent County Council (KCC) and Medway Council (MC) have provided financial support and strategic direction for many years for services to secure inward investment into the county and develop and promote the county’s tourism offer.

 

These services:

·         Promote investment opportunities in the county to investors and businesses based outside Kent & Medway

·         Bring new businesses to Kent & Medway creating employment opportunities for local people

·         Secure external investment into local businesses safeguarding jobs

·         Promote the county’s visitor economy and tourism offer nationally and internationally

·         Bring additional visitors to the county and associated spend with local visitor economy businesses (accommodation, experiences, attractions, leisure, hospitality and retail)

·         Provide a range of support activities to visitor economy businesses to enable them to develop and grow

 

Although KCC and MC face significant financial pressures, the value of these services to the local economy is significant. They provide better employment opportunities and quality of life for local residents.

 

Options

1.    Retender the contract on the basis of previous years; a higher cost and two separate services delivered. This was not possible due to budgetary pressures and a need to reduce the value of the contracts.

2.    Retender the contract with a reduced budget and combining previous commissions into a single service. This option, which is being pursued, provides financial savings for KCC and enables an aligning of approach as well as efficiency savings to be made. KPIs proportionate to the available reduced budget would have to be set.

3.    Bring these services in house. Cost savings would not be achieved and the ‘value added’ of independent private sector organisations delivering a credible service would be lost.

4.    Cease funding the Inward Investment and Visitor Economy services. This option would lead to the end of the inward investment service in Kent & Medway as KCC is the principal funder. Locate in Kent has supported 21 new business investment projects since May 2023 which have created 497 jobs in Kent & Medway. This option would significantly weaken the visitor economy service as KCC is a major principal funder. The Visitor Economy is worth £3.8bn to Kent & Medway each year and the Visit Kent service plays a key role in sustaining and growing this.

 

How the proposed decision supports Framing Kent’s Future 2022-2026:

These services directly support the following FKF commitments:

·   “Rebrand Kent to attract national and international investment by promoting all that the county has to offer for business, learning, leisure and tourism”

·   “Support strategic opportunities for growth through the delivery of sites and premises and support for new investment and business expansion, where it will deliver higher-value jobs and increased productivity and contributes to our Net Zero target.”

·   “Back SMEs and entrepreneurs to start-up, grow and drive adoption of new technology to improve productivity through increased GVA (Gross Value Added) and higher wages”

 

How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future:

·   Objective 2: Delivering savings from identified opportunity areas to set a sustainable 2024/25 budget and MTFP:

o   Contract review

·   The value to Kent of these services has been considered and their objectives and outcomes reviewed in order to ensure best value for KCC and Kent residents.

 

 

 

As Cabinet Member for Economic Development, I agree to:

 

(i)       PROCURE an Inward Investment and Visitor Economy services contract for the next two financial years. Medway Council (MC) will contribute funding to this single contract and

 

(ii)       DELEGATE to the Director Growth & Communities to take other relevant actions including but not limited to entering into required legal agreements as necessary to implement the decision.

 

Reason for the decision

 

Given the Council’s financial position, Cabinet now receives a monthly monitoring report setting out the latest forecast and actions being taken to balance the budget by the end of the financial year.  Adjustments to the capital budgets require approval from Cabinet.

 

Background – Provide brief additional context

 

The report on the Council’s financial position as at the end of December 2023 will be reported to Cabinet on 21 March 2024 which shows a forecast overspend of £30.0m before management action.  The forecast overspend presents a significant risk to the Council’s financial sustainability.  The report identifies management action to help reduce the budget gap for 2024-25 and the MTFP.

 

Options (other options considered but discarded)

 

The finance monitoring report could continue to be provided quarterly but it is critical that the financial position is considered more regularly to ensure the decisions needing Cabinet approval to balance the budget can be taken as quickly as possible.

 

How the proposed decision supports the Framing Kent's Future - Our Council Strategy 2022-2026

 

Framing Kent’s Future (FKF), the KCC Strategic Statement, was approved at County Council in May 2022 and sets out the council’s ambition and strategic priorities until 2026. FKF acknowledged the significant financial and demand pressures the council would be facing over the coming four years, whilst concurrently delivering an ambitious agenda for Kent residents, businesses, and local communities. The Securing Kent's Future plans and this related Finance Monitoring report 2023-24 reflects the need to confirm a re-prioritisation of Council business within the framework of Framing Kent's Future - further details are set out within the “Securing Kent's Future” Cabinet report.

 

How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future

Securing Kent’s Future (SKF) acknowledges that given the significance of adults and children’s social care within the council’s budget, and that spending growth pressures on the council’s budget overwhelming (but not exclusively) come from social care, that the priority of delivering New Models of Care and Support must take precedence over the other priorities in Framing Kent’s Future.  This creates an expectation that council services across all directorates must collectively prioritise delivering the new models of care and support objective as a collective enterprise.

The Finance Monitoring report for 2023-24 provides the detail of the latest financial position and the relevant information on the progress being made in terms of the savings and management actions to reduce the budget gap for 2024-25 and the MTFP.

 

The Cabinet agree to:

 

a)    note the capital and revenue budget position; and

b)    approve required budget adjustments (Capital budget adjustments as per Section 14)

 

Proposed decision

 

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services to agree to the adoption of theKCC Digital Strategy 2024-2027.

 

Reason for the decision

KCC requires a Digital Strategy to coordinate and drive digital transformation activity and to provide an overarching framework that encompasses KCC’s current and future digitally focused strategies and policies.

 

Background

KCC has a Technology Strategy but has never had a Digital Strategy. The Digital Strategy will focus on how KCC exploits technology to support and facilitate better digital experiences.

 

Options (other options considered but discarded)

Do nothing – discarded.

 

How the proposed decision supports the Framing Kent's Future - Our Council Strategy 2022-2026

This Strategy directly supports KCC response within the KCC Strategy, “Framing Kent’s Future, 2022-26”. Within this, KCC emphasise the importance of further digitising our services to improve the experiences of both our staff and our residents, the significance of investing in our ICT infrastructure and harnessing digital technologies. Substantial investments in technology have already been made, establishing robust architecture, and implementing modern internal tools, such as the enterprise-level Microsoft 365 environment. These advancements have significantly improved our technological foundations, providing a strong basis for the next phase of digital transformation, which will empower staff to excel in their roles, and improve customer experience for the residents of Kent. This is further demonstrated through our commitment to the Local Digital Declaration.

 

How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future

 The Digital Strategy supports the Council’s Securing Kent’s Future strategy, which states “The Digital Strategy sets out how the council can accelerate digital change to drive further efficiencies whilst also improving service quality and responsiveness.”

 

Objective Four of Securing Kent’s Future Strategy identifies the requirement for “Further transforming the operating model of the Council” and that “almost certainly, KCC will need to be a leaner organisation” and “drive new ICT and digital capabilities into its core service offer”. 

 

As Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, I agree to the adoption of the Kent County Council Digital Strategy 2024-2027.