New Wick High School, Primary Schools, Community Facilities

[Camra]

Whats the status with the project. I seem to remember planning permission submittal proposed for Feb / March. I cant find anything on HUBCO's website nor current plans on Wick High School or Highland Councils websites. I cant believe how quiet this project seems to be in the public domain. £50millon being spent and barely a squeek ?

[Alice in Blunderland]

Its still moving forward with lots of talk talk going on between HC HUBCO etc. I was under the impression that it would be quiet around now however once everything's agreed and they make a start late summer of this year the project would then move forward very quickly.

http://www.wickhighschool.org/index....pdf&Itemid=201

[Camra]

Thanks for the link AIB.

I understand the designs are now at issue B and i'm darned if i can find them on any website. Seems a bit odd cos they should be sifficient for submittal for planning permission shortly. I understand that when projects claim to come in on time and cost, the original design scope / quality is often compromised.

[Bill Fernie]

Minutes from the Stakeholder Group 22 November 2012

Date & time: 22 November 2012
Venue: Wick High School
Contract title: Wick High School
Contract No: 3511443A/NMW
Purpose: Community Liaison Group Meeting
Attendees:
Cllr Neil Macdonald - The Highland Council
Catherine Patterson - CVG
Robbie Macdonald - HLH Wick Library
Roslyn Bruce - Milton Residents Association
George Harper - High School Parent
Bill Bruce - Caithness Kayake Club
Lilian Wark - Pulteneytown Academy
Sindy Rudhall - Pulteneytown Academy Parent Council & Wick High Parent Council
Eric Baijal - South School Primary Parent Council
Pat Bowers - South School
Anne Macbeath - Wick High
Sheona Henderson - Wick High
Elena Koponen-Baikie - Pulteneytown Academy
Allan Farquhar - Community Liaison
Ken Allan - The Highland Council
Tom McIntyre - Rector, WHS
Cllr Bill Fernie - The Highland Council
Ron Mackenzie - The Highland Council
Keith Moncur - High Life Highland
Brenda Jones - Parsons Brinckerhoff
Tom Logan - The Highland Council
Alex Dickson - The Highland Council
1.0
Project Update
Ron Mackenzie gave an update on the project.
The Council issued a New Project Request to the Northern Hub in July. This set the following affordability caps:
£26.8m capital
£550k maintenance costs per annum
Since then, HubCo has been reviewing the design prepared by the Council and has held discussions with the Council team.
The following aspects of the design are ‘immoveable’.
- separation of community facilities from school
- separate access for Primary School
HubCo is due to submit its Stage 1 proposal by 7th December. This is due to be considered at the Council meeting on 20th December.
Following that, Hubco will tender the works and submit a final price to the Council in approximately July 2013.
The planning application is due to be submitted in approximately March 2013.
The council intends to issue New Project Requests for the joint campus primary school in January 2013 and for the new primary school in North Wick in March 2013.
The Council’s Asset Management Team will start in 2013 to seek alternative uses, by other parties, for the surplus buildings/land. If not sold, the council will demolish the existing Primary buildings and pool. The Council will not demolish the existing library. Councillor Fernie advised that there is some interest in alternative uses for the library. The relevant group needs to prepare a business case for the use.
Councillor Fernie advised that the Council would not seek to put restrictions on the future uses of the buildings in the disposal process.
2.0
Presentation of Joint Campus Primary School
Alex Dickson reminded the group of the proposals for the High School and presented the proposed layout of the Primary School.
The Primary School has classrooms off a central atrium, similar to the High School design.
The entrance from Seaforth Avenue is to the upper level of the school.
Ken Allan advised that there have been several consultation meetings with members of the two Primary School Parent Councils and the two Head Teachers over the brief and design proposals for the Primary School.
Pat Bowers and Lillian Wark confirmed that the architects had been very responsive to comments on the emerging designs. The pupils have been consulted on the landscape design.
Ken Allan advised that the classrooms are 63m2. In addition, there are internal and external break-out spaces next to all classrooms. This is larger than the 55m2 classroom suggested by the Scottish Futures Trust.
RM advised that the Council did not intend to cut costs by using cheap furniture and finishings, as this would not represent long term value for money.
Bill Fernie asked that stone chips not be used in the external landscaping, as they usually get scattered around.
NOTE
Ken Allan advised that Hub will present the designs to parents, pupils and teachers as they develop. This is in addition to the planning consultation process.
3.0
Hubco: opportunities for local businesses
Mike Felton, Project Director for Northern Hub gave a presentation about construction opportunities for local businesses.
Hub North is a partnership between the public and private sectors. Two projects are on site (in Aberdeen) six others, are at the development stage.
Hub supports the aim of maximising local work on projects.
Hub has selected Miller Construction as the preferred main contractor, following a price and quality tender process
Hubco is contractually committed to tender 80% of contracts to local construction businesses. MF advised that the contract does not define “local” as this will vary between areas, but would like to have discussions on this matter. Hubco’s intention is to be as local as possible.
MF clarified that the 80% figure relates to Hubco providing opportunities to tender for local businesses. The actual tender lists will depend on the response of local companies. Some concern was expressed about the ability of local companies to provide sufficient people for the project. MF advised that the selection of materials will take account of availability of local expertise. It was noted that builders in Caithness often tend to do more than one trade.
250 small and micro sized enterprises have already registered interest in working for Hubco.
Companies who work for Hubco will be expected to take on trainees. MF confirmed that Hubco will also look at providing work experience placements.
It was suggested that training courses could be run locally to overcome skill gaps, e.g. dry lining. Also, there is a lot of information available about local skill sets.
Hubco will arrange a roadshow for local businesses in February. This will involve Miller construction and contact with local agencies.
HUBCO
Hubco will ask interested companies to ‘pre-qualify’ and can provide assistance with this process.
Tom McIntyre advised that the school is keen to provide local opportunities for developing construction skills.
MF advised that each part of the construction works will be competitively tendered.
There will be a financial penalty if the works run late. RM advised that the council’s PPP schools were delivered on time, with only 2 schools late by a matter of days.
4.0
Future Stakeholder Group
RM advised that the design of the new Primary Schools will progress rapidly at the start of 2013.
The Council would like to have one stakeholder group for all the school projects in Wick. This would comprise representatives of Parent Councils, community users and elected members. The first meeting would be held in January.
It was noted that the High School has 11 feeder primaries. There should be a mechanism for parents from these schools to be consulted. It was noted that the Head Teachers of the Associated Schools Group have a monthly meeting with the High School Head Teacher. It was agreed that this forum could be used for communication about the joint campus.
KA advised that there would be additional meetings about specific matters, e.g. a meeting to discuss the library design could involve all five members of the library user group.
This proposal was accepted. The Council will prepare a proposed membership list for this group and circulate for comment.
RM advised that the stakeholder group would need to develop a communications strategy. All communication should come from one source. It was noted that information should be available in one web location.
Brenda Jones advised that Safe Routes to school groups with teacher and parent representatives will be set up shortly.

[Bill Fernie]

Below is the agenda from last night's meeting where presentations were made by Hubco, Millers and Highland council.

Minutes will be produced and presented at the next meeting in about 2 months time. Briefly it was stated that the council and Hubco were negotiating the contract and this would be finalised in the Autumn.

Concerns were express that this appeared to be a delay but Mr Mackenzie said that there had been contingency time built in. Start to the schools etc would be early in 2014 but that the hand over date remained the same June 2015.

Millers representative said they would be holding a meet the Suppliers Day in Mackays hotel on 27th March and this would be widely advertised.

Millers are keen to maximise local suppliers and to maintain their corporate responsibility to the local community by ensuring that apprenticeships are increased in the area. They have had discussion with North highland college to facilitate training course that will be required for those that gain apprenticeships.

School children will be involved in the search for new names for the two primary schools. Emphasis was place on maintaining separate identity for the new primary within the 3 - 18 campus and that is should not be seen as the primary wing of the High School.

Planning permissions are likely to be sought by the end of April. There wilbe further public consultations by developers when the detailed plans are available. work is ongoing and gaining pace.

Agenda if meeting on 4th March 2013
Meeting Wick Stakeholder Group
Date & time: Monday 4th March 2013, 7pm
Venue: Wick High School

Item	Description and person to lead
1	Welcome from the Chair
2	Purpose of the group (RM)
3	Progress update (RM)
4	Updated design proposals for the Joint Campus (GMA Ryder) and outline design proposals for new Primary School for the north of Wick (Hubco Architect & Highland Council Architect)
5	Proposals for engagement with local supply chain and training (Hubco)
6	Proposals for communication plan (Hubco/RM)
7	Process for naming new Primary Schools (RM)
8	Next steps and key milestones (Hubco)
9	Date of next meeting
10	Any other competent business

[Bill Fernie]

March 2013 - Newsletter

The Wick Project
The Wick Project includes the Wick Campus (incorporating the ‘South of the River’ Primary School, High School and East Caithness Community Facilities) on the Wick High/Pulteneytown Academy Primary School site, and the new ‘North of the River’ Primary School to be built on the current North Primary School site.
This Newsletter brings everybody up to date with progress.
On the Web
This newsletter and newsletters 1 and 2 issued in June and October last year are available at http://www.highland.gov.uk/learningh...ingsprogramme/
In addition, presentations used at Stakeholder Meetings for the two new Primary Schools, along with minutes of the new Stakeholder Group, are also included here. Note however, that these are still in development, and are a ‘snapshot’ of the designs to get feedback from Stakeholders.

Reminder - Hub/Council Process
The Council and Hub North Scotland Ltd (HNSL) have a process to follow. Detailed below is this process, with an approximate timeline:
New Project Request (NPR) – starts the process
Stage 1 – HNSL respond to Council accepting that the project can be delivered within Affordability Caps set by the Council. The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) and then the Council have to assess, and then decide on moving to the next Stage.
Stage 2 – HNSL then develop the design, and negotiate a detailed contract with the Council. Again both the SFT and the Council have to assess the proposal, and agree to sign the contract. This period may take up to 3 months.
Construction – for the Campus, begins in late 2013, for North of the River later (smaller project) with all facilities scheduled to become operational in August 2015.

Where are we now?
Wick High School and Community Facilities have begun the Stage 2 design process, with the Primary Schools’ NPR due for submission to HNSL in April/May 2013.

New Stakeholder Group
A new Stakeholder Group has been formed which covers the whole Wick Project. This has representatives from the five Parent Councils of the schools involved, their Headteachers, High Life Highland, including the Library and Swimming Pool users, local Members, Wick, Sinclair Bay and Tannach and District Community Councils, Officers of the Council and HNSL.

The new group met for the first time on Monday 4th March 2013.
The minute of this meeting is on the web (see opposite), but highlights of this meeting are noted below, along with further information on developments

Progress with Developments
It was confirmed that the Council is committed to developing all the facilities for occupation by August 2015. It was noted that the total expenditure on this project would be in the order of £55M overall.
The New Project Requests for the two new Primary schools will be issued to HNSL by the Council in April / May 2013.
The current proposal for the new North of the River Primary School was shared with the meeting – this is still under development, with consultations between the architects, Staff and the Parent Councils of both existing schools continuing.

Proposals for Engagement with Local Supply Chain
Hub North Scotland Ltd (HNSL)
(http://www.hubnorthscotland.co.uk/) introduced Miller Construction, their construction partner for the project.
Miller Construction gave a presentation on how they intend to engage with local businesses who wish to become involved with the project.
In particular, Miller are organising a “Meet the Buyer” event, on Thursday 27th March, 1330 – 1700 in the MacKay Hotel, Wick – this will be advertised in the local Press and websites. Click on http://www.millerconstruction.co.uk/...ntractors.aspx

Pre Planning Public Consultations
These have provisionally been set up follows:
Wick Campus – Monday 22nd April 2013
Wick North of the River Primary School – Monday 29th April 2013
Please look out for the venue and times in the local Press.
These consultations give the opportunity for members of the public to comment on the current proposals.

[Bill Fernie]

The Wick Project

The Wick Project includes the Wick Campus (incorporating the ‘South of the River’ Primary School, High School and East Caithness Community Facilities) on the Wick High/Pulteneytown Primary School site, and the new ‘North of the River’ Primary School to be built on the current North Primary School site.
The Wick Campus – on the Wick High/Pulneytown Primary Site
Wick High School

• General Classrooms - all to a very high standard of ICT provision, and to include all new furnishings
• Specialist facilities for Art & Design, Physical Education (Games Hall, Gymnasium and Dance Studio), Music, Drama, Home Economics, Business and Computer Education, Technology and Science equipped to the most modern standards
• Specialist vocational provision for Practical Craft Skills, Professional cookery and Hair and Beauty
• Specialist provision for Assisted Support Needs
• Collaborative and Cooperative break out space to promote a variety of teaching methods
• Hall as part of flexible use space
• Kitchen, Dining and Café facilities
• One full sized synthetic Pitch (existing),
• One large grassed area, with 2 full sized football pitches / 400m running track/rugby pitch.
• Car and cycle parking, drop off area, and bus bays

East Caithness Community Facilities
This facility will be managed and operated by High Life Highland (HLH), who will also manage community access to other areas in the schools outwith school hours.

• Public Library
• Swimming Pool with Floating floor, and separate Toddler Pool
• Community have access to school areas eg PE Areas, Hall, the Street etc outwith school hours

New Primary School on the Campus, replacing Pultneytown and South Primary Schools
The new school will consist of:

• 13 Classrooms, each with built in store and cloakroom
• Expressive Arts room and store
• Break out Space
• 2 Nursery Rooms, with kitchen, cloakrooms, toilets and storage
• 2 Learning Support Rooms
• Enhanced Provision Area for children with specific needs
• Games Hall – 2 badminton Court size, with changing and stores
• Offices – Administration, Head Teacher and Depute, Staff Work Base
• Medical Room, Inter Agency Meeting Room, Offices for Childrens’ Services and Active Schools Coordinator
• Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and grass pitch
• External areas including garden area – for work and play (pupils have been involved in designing this with Council’s Landscape Architect).

New Primary School North of the River, replacing North and Hillhead Primary Schools – on the North Primary Site
This new school will consist of:

• 14 Classrooms, each with built in store and cloakroom
• 2 Expressive Arts room and store
• Library
• Break out Space
• 2 Nursery Rooms, with kitchen, cloakrooms, toilets and storage
• A third pre-school room
• 2 Learning Support Rooms
• Enhanced Provision Area for children with specific needs
• Games Hall – 2 badminton Court size, with changing and stores
• Dining Area with Storage
• Offices – Administration, Head Teacher and Depute, Staff Work Base
• Medical Room and Inter Agency Meeting Room
• Community Room with storage
• Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and grass pitch
• External areas including garden area – for work and play (pupils have been involved in designing this with Council’s Landscape Architect).

[Bill Fernie]

Links
The plans are held in large Pdf files and may take a while to download depending on your connection speed.
These plans may be subject to changes as the planning process proceeds.

Wick High School and Community Facilities
http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonly...erJune2012.pdf

Plans for Pultneytown and South new primary school
http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonly...SoRPrimary.pdf

Plans for Hillhead and North new primary school
http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonly...NoRPrimary.pdf

[Bill Fernie]

Planning Process begins for new Wick Schools and Community Facilities

The £50M project for two new Primary Schools, a new High School, and new Community Facilities, incorporating a replacement Library and swimming pool, due for completion for use in August 2015, takes another step forward this month.

The planning process for major works includes a “Pre-Application Consultation” in which the proposals are shared with the public, so that comments at this stage can be considered by the architects before formal Planning Applications are submitted.

For the Wick Campus, incorporating a new Primary School (amalgamating Pulteneytown Academy Primary and South Primary), a replacement High School, and the new East Caithness Community Facilities (replacing the Library and the Swimming Pool), the public exhibition is due to be held in the Assembly Rooms, Wick on Monday 22nd April from 2pm to 6.30pm.


For the new Primary School replacing Hillhead Primary and North Primary on the north of the River, the exhibition is due to be held in the Assembly Rooms, Wick on Monday 29th April from 2pm to 6.30pm.

At both exhibitions, members of the project team will be in attendance to answer any queries. Members of the public are invited to comment on the proposals there and then, or in writing over the following 14 days – full details available at the exhibition. In addition, the proposed plans will be available after each meeting on the Council’s website on http://www.highland.gov.uk/learningh...ck+Project.htm

A Council spokesman said: “People should be aware that no Planning Applications have been submitted at this stage. This is an opportunity for anyone to comment on the current proposals before such applications are made.”