Issue details

Proposed decision:

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

1.    authorise the granting of a Lease in excess of 20 years to UK Power Networks in order that a new electricity substation can be built within the grounds of the school, to serve new education buildings to be built in 2025; and

2.    delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services to take necessary actions, including but not limited to entering into relevant contracts or other legal agreements, as required to implement this. 

Reason for the Decision

The granting of a Formal Lease in excess 20 years requires a Key Decision in accordance with the County Council’s Property Management Protocol.

Background

The existing School buildings are beyond their economic lifespan and new school buildings need to be provided on the existing site to replace the existing ones.  Such an expansion will necessitate greater electrical consumption and UK Power Networks, as a Statutory Undertaker, also require additional capacity for all new substation developments for cases of local emergency.

In order for an adequate electricity supply to be provided to the new education buildings, it is necessary for a new electricity substation to be provided on part of the site, for use and operation by UK Power Networks. 

The proposed new substation will serve the school in the first instance and feed out to the local electricity network in cases of emergency.

For consistency with other leases granted on operational school sites to UK Power Networks and similar Statutory Undertakers, a lease of 99 years will need to be granted for the provision and operation of the new substation.

Options Considered 

No other options were considered as the new facilities cannot be operated without adequate electricity supply. The substation is necessary to ensure the development can be completed and brought into use.

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

This decision supports Framing Kent’s Future – Our Council Strategy 2022-2026 as the decision assists in enabling the provision of new education buildings for use by the existing school. This supports KCC's commitment to maintaining its strategic role in supporting schools in Kent to deliver accessible, high-quality education provision. 

Infrastructure for communities will be improved by the new substation, using modern materials and technologies associated with prevailing substation design and construction and protected for long term use by the presence of a long lease.?

Environmental Step Change objectives will also be achieved, as the proposed lease will compel the operator to use sustainable materials and reduce any carbon emissions compared to the existing substation, which will help the County Council achieve its Net Zero targets.

How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022 -2026: Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery Strategy.pdf

The Sub Station necessary to power the school will be supplied at no cost to KCC other than the preparation of the leases etc.