Normal Service Resumes

Well it's a new year, we're all back at work and it's time to return from the blog-break.

We're now about to freeze the designs so they can be fully costed and presented to Governors for sign-off. First thing this morning I therefore removed the display panels in the foyer showing the BSF proposals and it struck me how much has been amended during the consultation process. A few weeks ago the architects happened to mention there had been 87 alterations to the plans since the final bid submission. We must now be over the 100 mark. Some of these changes are minor (e.g. removing a small partition), some are quite major (e.g. the ever changing superloos). The vast majority are due to consultation at various levels. The landscaping and elevations have also changed considerably, and thank goodness for that!

Not everyone had a break over christmas. The BSF project director was apparently e-mailing on Christmas Day. We received an e-mail from him on the 28th telling us that additional funding has been found to allow us the proposed core-ten elevations, which was really good news. You've probably gathered that things have really moved on, and I think we're reaching a point where we could recommend acceptance of proposals to the Governing Body. There are a few fairly major outstanding issues, though:

• Room Data Sheets: We've been strongly advised by a number of people who know about such things that we should not agree final sign-up until we have been through every single room in detail to establish that we're getting what we need and resolve any difficulties. We currently have a bit of an issue about availability of staff drink making facilities, and I'm sure this won't be the only matter that needs to be thrashed out a bit. I must admit the idea of going through each room in this level of data fills me (and presumably anyone else involved, some of whom may have to sit through the process with 3 schools) with dread, but I can absolutely see it's something that has to be done.
• Legal Agreement: There was a lot of work outstanding here, but I gather there has again been a lot of progress over the past 2/3 weeks. Basically the Governing Body Agreement refers to lots of other legal documents that weren't finalised. We have been advised not to sign until we have a full understanding of the contents of these documents which are, of course, enormous and a bit impenetrable. Luckily the Learning Trust has funded some extremely helpful solicitors to do most of the reading and interpretation for us.
• Accessibility: Disabled Access was highlighted as a major priority at an early stage. It's the stated aim of the Governing Body never to have to turn a child away from the school again. We are waiting to meet with an independent consultant who we would like to look at the plans and make recommendations if necessary. Of course, if they make lots of recommendations this could delay design freeze. The architects are pretty confident about the proposals which are certainly an enormous improvement on the current situation, but we would feel more comfortable hearing what a specialist has to say.
• Decant and Phasing: There remains a fair bit of work to do here.

Of course there are a few other minor bits and pieces, but I think that's a fair summary of the situation.

And as for my break... I carried loads of BSF work home to do over the break, and carried it all back again completely untouched! I did, however, read the "Honeywood File" as recommended via a comment on this blog. It's a fictional account of a building project reported through the letters filed by the architect. It's about 80 years old, but could have been written today. Some parts are laugh out loud funny. It's out of print and was a bit tricky to get hold of, but my copy's about to go out on lending rotation, so if anyone wants to borrow it let me know.

Meeting Count 2/11/07 - 21/12/07 Thirty-four (there was only one in the last week of term). First BSF meeting of 2008 is due to be held tomorrow.