EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL A PROPOSAL DOCUMENT

xiii.
xiv.
xv.
xvi.
xvii.
Similarly, the new school will eradicate the present anticipated maintenance
costs for the existing buildings in terms of component renewal to keep them
wind and water tight. This need is particularly acute in relation to Silverwood
Primary School which has been assessed by independent consulting
engineers as only having a finite further useful life. This will free resources for
the general improvement of the school estate, again benefiting all children and
young people. Because of its new construction, modern design principles will
be applied further releasing resources in terms of efficient energy usage and
maintenance. This will again alleviate pressure on the Education Service
budget.
The incorporation of these schools into a single build project will minimise the
capital costs that would otherwise accrue from two or more separate capital
projects. These savings will be at all stages – design, procurement and
construction. Given the high levels of maintenance and repair reflected in the
School Estates Management Plan, this factor is of significant in terms of the
overall benefit to children across East Ayrshire.
The integration of community facilities within the new 3-18 campus will
promote increased use of the new building, and provide modern facilities for
community activities, including leisure.
Taking points xi to xv above together the co-location with the secondary
school of a merged primary school and Early Childhood Centre composed of
Silverwood Primary and New Farm Primary and Early Childhood Centre is the
best value option benefiting the children of these establishments but also all of
the children of East Ayrshire. The resulting savings from revenue and capital
together are highly significant and will therefore deliver maximum benefit to
both the local and wider Authority area and its children and young people.
There are additional non educational advantages of this option:
Families with secondary and primary or early years aged children will have all
educational service concentrated in one area, for example easing problems of
school transport or family emergencies.
5.7 PREFERRED OPTION
(i)
An options appraisal exercise on each of the options considered was
undertaken by officers from a range of Council services and the results of this
work were approved by the Department of Educational and Social Services
management team meeting. The options appraisal took account of
educational benefits that will be delivered, the financial considerations and
available funding support from the Scottish Government, and maximising the
number of young people who would directly benefit from the relevant
proposals. The summarised score of each option are shown in Table 16
below, with full details of the scoring matrix for each Option shown at
Appendix 8 (A-C).
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