-
Decision details
Office Accommodation
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision status: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
Report on proposed landlord and invest to save improvements to Aquila House.
Decisions:
The Director of Environmental Services presented a report to outline the works proposed by the freeholder of Aquila House to refurbish the building.
Since the council’s accommodation and smarter working strategy had been approved in March 2004, efforts had been underway to consolidate operational services in Aquila House. Officers had been in negotiation with the freeholders to agree new long leases on Aquila House and to secure a programme of repair and refurbishment of the building before the new leases are entered into. The freeholder proposed an extensive programme of refurbishment, including essential works to the roof, windows and exterior cladding of the building as well as updating the internal office space on floors 1 to 5. The council would then be required to fit out the office space to its own specification and requirements. Members welcome the planned works, but were mindful that there would be considerable disruption to staff while the refurbishment was ongoing.
The refurbishment of Aquila House was also seen as a significant opportunity to further encourage smarter working across the organisation, to improve efficiency and co-ordination of service and support a one council philosophy. Increased smarter working may also provide opportunities for income generation by sub-letting unused office space in Aquila House. It was therefore proposed that £250,000 of the invest to save budget be allocated to support the move to more flexible working, and further £50,000 be allocated to the IT reserve to fund investment in additional technology.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that –
1) Cabinet acknowledge that the freeholder’s proposals for the refurbishment of Aquila House provide an opportunity to drive organisational change. The changes will support the transition to more flexible working practices, improved productivity and efficiency, more focus on coordination of service delivery and a further development of the one council philosophy;
2) Cabinet approve the increase of £200,000 in the budget allocation in the capital programme for office accommodation work;
3) That the IT reserve be increased by £50,000 to support more flexible working and improved efficiency, and;
4) The invest to save proposal (£250,000) to support the transition to a one council philosophy be supported
The reason for this decision was:
To ensure that the office accommodation is fit for purpose following the refurbishment by the freeholder and to support the transition to a one council philosophy, improving flexibility and efficiency to support service delivery in response to the medium and long term financial pressures faced by the council.
Report author: Richard Homewood
Publication date: 09/07/2014
Date of decision: 07/07/2014
Decided at meeting: 07/07/2014 - Cabinet
Accompanying Documents:
-
My council
Contact
Contact us if you have a question about democratic services.
Content
The content on this page is the responsibility of our Democratic Services team.