Issue - meetings

This report gives a progress update on the extension of the scope of the Administrative Accommodation rationalisation to further reduce the number of office buildings used by the Council and increase the accommodation provided to partners.  It also sets out proposals to use some of the additional savings to fund adaptations to Hazel Court to enable the complex to accommodate increased number of staff.

RECOMMENDED:     i)         That Council agree the proposals for amending the design of Hazel Court to accommodate additional staff and an increased range of facilities.

ii)         That Council be requested to create a capital budget of £618k to be funded from revenue savings achieved by exiting the 3 additional buildings.

REASON:     i)     To reduce the Council’s Admin Accommodation portfolio and ensure the provision of suitable flexible workspaces for staff and partners in Hazel Court.

ii) To ensure the effective delivery of the capital programme.

Members considered a progress update on the extension of the scope of the Administrative Accommodation rationalisation to further reduce the number of office buildings used by the Council and increase the accommodation provided to partners.

Following inclusion in the programme, in January 2012, the exiting of the Guildhall, St Anthony’s House and 50 Acomb Road, accommodation had been required for an additional 200 staff and 47 members within the two remaining buildings.

In order to achieve further savings additional changes were required at West Offices and it was proposed that the Hazel Court site was used as the second Admin Accommodation site, as detailed in paragraphs 7 to 13 of the report. This would provide flexible workspace for all Council staff and partners. A further break down of the cost of modifications required at Hazel Court were set out in the Confidential Annex2 to the report.

Members referred to repairs required to existing buildings and accessibility concerns and to the need for smarter working which the enhanced proposals would provide.

It was then

RECOMMENDED:     i)         That Council agree the proposals for amending the design of Hazel Court to accommodate additional staff and an increased range of facilities.

ii)         That Council be requested to create a capital budget of £618k to be funded from revenue savings achieved by exiting the 3 additional buildings. ^1.

REASON:     i)     To reduce the Council’s Admin Accommodation portfolio and ensure the provision of suitable flexible workspaces for staff and partners in Hazel Court.

ii) To ensure the effective delivery of the capital programme.