The recent college rebuilding programme represents one of the most significant areas of government investment in public buildings. The programme has so far enabled major projects at some 326 colleges throughout England and whilst the capital budget for the time being has been expended what has been achieved to date is considerable.

Many colleges have been left disappointed that their proposals will not, in the short-term, be implemented but many are now looking more realistically at less ambitious projects which will nonetheless provide considerable enhancement to the quality of the estate. King Sturge is on the LSC Framework panel for the provision of project management services in relation to these developments.

This has provided us with considerable experience and an unsurpassed understanding of development within this sector. For the future however the emphasis is likely to be on refurbishment and smaller new build schemes but also on day-to-day estates services.

Services

The King Sturge Further Education group is led by Richard Haynes who is also a member of the National Learning & Skills Council where he sits on the Capital Committee. This does provide a unique insight into the workings and funding of the Further Education sector.

King Sturge is fully up-to-date with the changes that are taking place in the sector both in terms of revenue funding and in terms of the likely changes to the capital bid process and the establishment of the Skills Funding Agency. Advisers will in the future need to be more creative and more innovative in providing solutions to funding issues. Colleges will need to look more at opportunities inherent in their current estate and at opportunities for disposals and third party development. Colleges will need to amend and develop their estate strategies and perhaps reconsider both the type and amount of accommodation required in the light of revised learner numbers.

King Sturge is able to assist with the process at all levels and also able to offer a full range of estate strategies and these can if required be offered through our contract with the Crescent Purchasing Consortium with whom we are an accredited supplier.