School Organisation & Asset Management

The Policy and Planning Team is responsible for the following wide range of services which relate to the provision of a suitable environment for the effective education of pupils in Torbay:

• Capital Funding

  - the identification and development of proposals for suitable projects to meet the need for school places and/or other elements of the Schools’ Asset Management Plan, the preparation/submission of bids to DCFS and other bodies and the management and allocation of Devolved Formula Capital and other sources of capital funding.

• Planning and Provision of Sufficient School Places

  - identification of the projected need for school places and the development of proposals to ensure that an adequate supply and range of places are provided to meet the statutory duty of the Local Authority (LA).

• Premises Standards

  - maintaining and promoting good practice and ensuring compliance with Statutory Regulations, including the Disability Discrimination Act, action on matters brought to the attention of the team by visiting inspectors, surveyors and engineers, and advice and support on health, safety and security issues affecting schools.

• Project Management

  - the strategic management of Children Service's Capital Programme including client duties, overall project management of Capital Programme and budget monitoring.

• School Organisation and Place Planning Statement (SOPPS)

  - the statement includes information relating to the type and distribution of school places in Torbay and the aims, policies and proposals of the Authority.  It provides the context for local decision making on place planning proposals.

• Schools Asset Management Plan (AMP)

  - relates to the provision, management and maintenance of school buildings, categorised as Condition, Suitability and Sufficiency (capacity) of premises. Specific areas such as Health and Safety, Access (i.e. social inclusion) and Security all fall within the parameters of the AMP. The AMP Statement of Priorities sets out prioritised programmes of work/development. The Team also contributes to the work of the Corporate Asset Management Team (CAMT) and the development of the Corporate Asset Management Plan (CAMP).