Reporter 28/5/98: Report of the Council on the provision of new post-mortem facilities for the Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine

Report of the Council on the provision of new post-mortem facilities for the Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine

The COUNCIL beg leave to report to the University as follows:

1. The existing post-mortem facility of the Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine is in urgent need of replacement; it was constructed in 1954, and has remained largely unaltered since that date. Since 1954 the number of students in the Department has increased fourfold, and hospital and research activity has grown in parallel. The unsatisfactory nature of the present facility has been noted in visitation reports of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons over a considerable period of time. In view of the urgent need and the critical importance of meeting current Health and Safety requirements, the General Board authorized the preparation of detailed plans and estimates for a new building in July 1997.

2. A scheme has been prepared by the Estate Management and Building Service for a new building on a paddock in the Veterinary School complex, as shown in the accompanying drawing [consult paper version, p. 699]. The design provides for separate entrances and circulation areas for personnel and materials, and includes a dark room, a sterilization room, and a viewing area. Specialized stainless steel equipment is included. The floor area of the proposed new building is 830 sq. m.

3. The proposals have been scrutinized by the Finance Committee and the General Board, and extensive revision has been undertaken to reduce the cost. The current estimated cost of the proposed building is £2.133m, to be met from the Minor Works Fund.

4. On an area basis, and taking into account plant efficiency and control systems, it is estimated that the mechanical and electrical running costs of the building will be £17,100 a year. The Council will take these costs into account when recommending allocations from the Chest to the University Education Fund.

5. The scheme has been designed in accordance with the development plan for the Department, which has itself been aligned with the West Cambridge Master Plan.

6. Drawings of the proposed building are displayed for the information of the University in the Schools Arcade.

7. The Council recommend:

I.	That approval be given for the construction of a new post-mortem facility for the Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine as described in this Report.
II.	That the Assistant Director of Estate Management be authorized to lodge a planning application for the building.
III.	That the Treasurer be authorized in due course to accept a tender for the works.

25 May 1998

ALEC N. BROERS, Vice-Chancellor	BRIAN F. G. JOHNSON	PENNY PEREIRA
T. S. ADKINS	D. E. L. JOHNSTON	SANDRA RABAN
MARTIN BOBROW	JOHN A. LEAKE	M. SCHOFIELD
TERENCE ENGLISH	ANNE LONSDALE	DAVID M. THOMPSON
A. L. R. FINDLAY	C. T. MORLEY	DANIEL B. WAGGONER
DAVID HARRISON	ONORA O'NEILL

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