London Borough of Sutton
Adding high quality capability and
capacity to Sutton for their primary capital and BSF programmes
EC Harris is providing an interim Head of Service
for the London Borough of Sutton. The role of Head of Capital and
Planning is responsible for school organisation, asset management
planning, capital investment and BSF for the Council. Particular
areas of focus during the initial year of this placement has been
the development of a Primary Capital Strategy, leading on a review
of primary places to meet an increasing birth rate and beginning
the Borough’s preparation for BSF.
Creating solutions
By providing an experienced and knowledgeable individual,
supported by the broader experience and expertise within EC Harris,
the Borough have had access to high quality resources and are able
to tap in to the experience gained on a number of strategic capital
investment programmes EC Harris manage across the Country. The
ability to demonstrate ‘readiness’ for the upcoming BSF programme
will be a key test.
Changes in the birth rate in Sutton require a re-consideration
of the number of school places in the Borough.
Primary Capital Programme: The development of a
‘Strategy for Change’ for the Borough’s primary schools has been a
key task. The challenge involved the prioritisation of capital
investment to address issues related to attainment, deprivation and
the condition of school buildings. EC Harris brought together a
steering group to involve key stakeholders in the development of a
prioritisation methodology, a consultation strategy and to approve
the final list of schools for investment.
Place planning and school organisation: Changes
in the birth rate in Sutton require a re-consideration of the
number of school places in the Borough.
EC Harris have provided a resource who is able to analyse the birth
rate projections and consider the impact on schools. The
development of options to deal with the expected increase in
primary numbers has significant implications.
Building Schools for the Future: The Borough
are a late-wave BSF authority, however, planning for the
development of a ‘Strategy for Change’ for the secondary school
estate is a key activity. Again a steering group has been set up to
involve key stakeholders (including schools, councilors and
officers) in the development of an education vision and to consider
the implications for the school estate.
Adding value
EC Harris has been able to fit with the Council’s existing
structures and procedures, but has also put in place new ways of
working to ensure the status quo is challenged and the Council’s
approach will stand up to external scrutiny, particularly with
respect to pupil place planning, the Primary Capital Strategy and
the preparation for BSF.
The benefits EC Harris has delivered to the
client include:
- Provision of a high quality candidate to fill the role, with
significant experience of primary capital investment
programmes
- Links to the wider education community within EC Harris to
benefit the client
- The ability to bring experience from other clients (Plymouth
City Council, Surrey County Council, Suffolk County Council and BSF
bidders) to bring benefits to the client
- Experience of the national BSF programme and procurement
strategies to support the client in their early BSF
thinking
- The ability to troubleshoot and quickly identify areas for
improvement to concentrate on during the year placement.
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