The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
9
WQ.187/2019
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
BY DEPUTY R.J. WARD OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 30th APRIL 2019
Question
Will the Minister advise –
- what monitoring is undertaken of the condition of States school buildings, in particular older buildings such as Rouge Bouillon School, Springfield School and any other older primary school buildings that are not due to be replaced; and
- whether any problems currently exist with the condition of such school buildings and, if so, what action is being taken to rectify these problems?
Answer
A full stock condition survey was undertaken in 2007/8 by qualified building surveyors from the UK of all publicly owned buildings (including schools). In addition, surveyors from the UK Government's District Valuation Service are engaged to undertake periodic valuations and inspections of all publicly owned property. Physical inspections – which, in the case of schools, include an assessment of the condition – are undertaken every five years by suitably qualified building surveyors. In 2017 (the last such inspection) schools were also the subject of an updated inspection and revaluation for the purposes of insurance re- instatement cost assessment.
Whilst the specific details of these inspections and assessments are not designed for investment decisions, the information remains available when considering investment approaches to the estate.
Each school property is assigned a dedicated maintenance officer who will regularly visit and inspect schools. In addition, schools employ on-site site managers and/or caretakers who are responsible for minor repairs and ongoing internal improvements. Being based on site also enables them to conduct inspections and assessments of the condition on a formal and informal basis. Each September school heads and site managers submit 3 year minor works plans for inclusion in Property Holdings' minor projects allocation. These are prioritised on a risk based approach in competition with other properties maintained by Property Holdings.
Works to the 24 primary schools and 7 secondary schools in public ownership is varied and constant. It would be difficult to list the full extent of all outstanding issues arising out of the condition of each. Since 2016, a total of £4.4million has been spent from the Property Holdings' projects budget on primary schools. A further £1.3million has been spent on the secondary schools.
Maintenance of buildings – especially older ones – is an ongoing task which involves planned preventative maintenance, cyclical or periodic maintenance and reactive maintenance. Work is allocated and managed within the available funding. Every effort is made to ensure that buildings remain safe, compliant and within operating parameters agreed with occupiers.
Major capital works to schools including Trinity School, d'Auvergne School, St Martin's School, Springfield School, St Mary's School, Haute Valle School and Grainville School have been undertaken or are in the process of being carried out.
Officers from Property Holdings and Children, Education, Young People and Skills are finalising the terms of reference for a full review of the schools and colleges properties. This review will consider, amongst other elements, the condition, suitability and sufficiency of each property and the estate as a whole. One target outcome of this work is to develop a forward looking investment plan for the schools and colleges.