LONDON’S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
ESTATES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Wednesday 30 October 2013
PRESENT:
President and Provost (Chair)
Professor Stephen Caddick
Professor Richard Catlow
Professor Mary Collins
Professor Anthony Finkelstein
Professor Mary Fulbrook
Professor Dame Hazel Genn
Mr Andrew Grainger
Mr Phil Harding
Professor Graham Hart
Professor Alan Penn
Professor Anthony Smith
Mr Dave Smith
Professor Alan Thompson
Professor Jo Wolf
In attendance: Mr Jason Clarke (Secretary) and Ms Valerie Hogg.
Apologies for absence were received from Mr Rex Knight, Professor David Lomas, Professor
David Price and Professor Sir John Tooke.
Key to abbreviations
EMC
FC
PRG
Estates Management Committee
Finance Committee
Project Review Group (formerly Estates Approval Committee)
Preliminary Business
13
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18 SEPTEMBER 2013
Confirmed:
13.1
The Minutes of the meeting of EMC held on 18 September 2013 [EMC Mins. 1-12, 18.9.13].
Estates Management Committee – Minutes – 30 October 2013
14
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
14A
Finance Committee approval of recommendations from EMC
Noted:
14A.1 At its meeting on 5 June 2013, EMC had approved a proposal for the refurbishment of the
Wolfson Teaching Laboratories in the School of Pharmacy, which was subsequently
referred to, and approved by, FC at its meeting on 23 September 2013.
14B
Scoping exercise for the new ‘estates prioritisation group’ [EMC Min.1, 18.9.13]
Noted:
14B.1 At its last meeting, EMC had noted that the Provost had invited the Vice-Provost
(Operations) to chair a scoping group to develop proposals for the composition and modus
operandi of a new ‘estates prioritisation group’. Membership of the scoping group had been
agreed 1 and arrangements for its first two meetings had been made. A progress report
would be made to EMC at its next meeting.
[ACTION: Rex Knight – to note]
Matters for Discussion
15
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Received:
15.1
The above report at EMC 2-11 (13-14), presented by the Director of Estates.
Reported:
15.2
In his report, the Director updated EMC on progress in relation to, inter alia, planning for
the New Student Centre, the Queens Square House project, and the review of the UCL
Masterplan.
Discussion:
15.3
1
During EMC’s discussion of the Director’s report, the following points, inter alia, were noted:
•
It was noted that, following the completion of the review of the Masterplan, it was
intended to publish the revised document in a more manageable format, with the
overarching principles and strategies set out in separate annexes. This approach
was supported by EMC which also suggested that the document should include a
forward annual schedule of projects to be undertaken in accordance with the
revised plan.
•
Several members of EMC observed that, as a result of increasing student numbers,
some faculties are currently paying for external space for teaching and having to
organise such arrangements locally. The Director of Estates noted that it was
The members are Professor Steve Caddick, Professor Mary Fulbrook, Mr Andrew Grainger, Mr Phil
Harding, Mr Rex Knight (Chair), Professor Alan Penn, Professor David Price, Professor Anthony
Smith and Professor Alan Thompson.
2
Estates Management Committee – Minutes – 30 October 2013
intended that new arrangements for the central management of externally-provided
teaching space would be put in place for the start of the 2014-15 session.
•
The Provost noted the importance of the above issue and that he would be looking
to the members of EMC to work collectively in developing and implementing an
integrated planning process, which would take into account factors including student
and staff numbers and estates planning; this process would also need to take
account of possible future developments in curricula design and delivery. However,
developing such an integrated planning process would not obviate the need to put in
place immediately some remedial measures to address UCL’s current and short
term problems in relation to the provision of teaching space.
•
EMC noted that the Director’s Report made reference to the implications for UCL of
HS2 and asked that an update report be submitted to its next meeting.
RESOLVED:
15.4
That EMC welcome the report at EMC 2-11 (13-14).
15.5
That a further report on the implications of the HS2 project for UCL be submitted to the next
meeting.
[ACTION: Andrew Grainger – to note]
Matters for Approval
16
WILKINS NORTH TERRACE, REFECTORY AND BLOOMSBURY THEATRE
Received:
16.1
The above proposal, as set out at EMC 2-12 (13-14).
Reported:
16.2
The proposal comprised a set of integrated projects designed to transform the Wilkins
complex to achieve a major improvement in the student and staff experience. As well as
including some much needed repair to the existing infrastructure, the project would also see
the creation of new facilities for staff and students.
Discussion:
16.3
EMC supported the proposal, noting that this project (and the subsequent two proposals
before the Committee) would deliver significant improvements to UCL’s public realm and
core estate, thereby enhancing both the staff and students experience at UCL. Also, by
investing in its core estate and buildings in this way, UCL would be sending a clear and
confident message about its future prospects. EMC noted that FC would be advised as to
the broader context and objectives of this project in relation to UCL’s core estate.
RESOLVED – for recommendation to Finance Committee:
16.4
That EMC approve the proposal at EMC 2-12 (13-14).
[ACTION: Dave Smith, Nick McGhee – to note]
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Estates Management Committee – Minutes – 30 October 2013
17
REFURBISHMENT OF THE KATHLEEN LONSDALE BUILDING
Received:
17.1
The above proposal, as set out at EMC 2-13 (13-14).
Reported:
17.2
The proposal would see: (i) the complete refurbishment of the Kathleen Lonsdale Building
and the provision of state-of-the-art facilities for the Faculty of Mathematical and Physical
Sciences; (ii) enhancements to the student and staff experience with the creation of
specialist teaching facilities and a learning hub; (iii) the opportunity to co-locate
Department of Earth Sciences from its current four separate buildings; and (iv) the
opportunity to address issues relating to poor environmental performance.
RESOLVED – for recommendation to Finance Committee:
17.3
That EMC approve the proposal at EMC 2-13 (13-14).
[ACTION: Dave Smith, Nick McGhee – to note]
18
WATES HOUSE
Received:
18.1
The above proposal, as set out at EMC 2-14 (13-14).
Reported:
18.2
This project would see the total refurbishment and extension of Wates House, thereby
improving the student and staff experience by rectifying the historic space deficit and
remedying the many faults with the building services and design, and enabling the colocation of the Bartlett School of Architecture.
RESOLVED – for recommendation to Finance Committee:
18.3
That EMC approve the proposal at EMC 2-14 (13-14).
[ACTION: Dave Smith, Nick McGhee – to note]
19
CONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY
Received:
19.1
The above report at EMC 2-15 (13-14).
RESOLVED:
19.2
That EMC approve the proposal at EMC 2-15 (13-14).
[ACTION: Andrew Grainger – to note]
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Estates Management Committee – Minutes – 30 October 2013
Matters for Information
20
CONSTRUCTION LOGISTICS
Noted:
20.1
The above report at EMC 2-16 (13-14).
21
PUBLIC REALM STRATEGY
Noted:
21.1
The above report at EMC 2-17 (13-14).
22
SUMMER PROGRAMME AND RECENT PROJECT COMPLETIONS
Noted:
22.1
The above report at EMC 2-18 (13-14).
23
CAPITAL PROJECTS DASHBOARD
Noted:
23.1
The above report at EMC 2-19 (13-14).
24
PROJECT REVIEW GROUP (FORMERLY ESTATES APPROVAL COMMITTEE) –
MINUTES AND DECISIONS
Noted:
24.1
Minutes of the most recent meeting of the PRG at EMC 2-20 (13-14).
25
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Noted:
25.1
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 22 January 2014 at 8.30am in the Council
Room.
JDC
i/2014
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