Issue - meetings

Report of the Director for Housing, Regeneration and Planning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation.

The award of a construction contract for the delivery of the Civic Centre project enabling works, which includes the removal of asbestos, redundant building services, and soft strip out of the building. The report will also provide a general update on the project, the milestone programme, budget, and the project delivery plan.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation introduced the report which sought to award a construction contract for the delivery of the Civic Centre project enabling works, which included the removal of asbestos, redundant building services, and soft strip out of the building. The report also provided a general update on the project, the milestone programme, budget, and the project delivery plan.

The Cabinet Member explained that the Civic Centre was an important, Listed Building and that the proposals would both improve the building and provide accommodation for approximately 900 council staff. The Cabinet Member noted that the proposals would deliver good value for money, future savings in relation to energy and maintenance, and flexible work spaces.

The Cabinet Member responded to questions from the Cabinet:

-       It was noted that it was important for the Civic Centre to be representative of the borough and its values. It was explained that the building would be designed to the highest environmental standards and would take into account new ways of working, including hybrid and locality working.

-       It was commented that the council aimed to provide services in house and it was noted that the project would allow for spaces to be used flexibly in case of insourcing or other changes.

-       In relation to the presence of a bunker on site, it was explained that the Civic Centre was a Listed Building and that all elements would be reflected in the Statement of Significance. It was added that surveys had informed the current designs and that solutions for the building were being considered, such as the location of plant equipment and heating. It was noted that there was also a steering group and that the designs were being co-designed to consider ways to utilise the space.

-       The Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care, and Well-Being drew attention to the presence of locality working which was referenced in the report and would be an important part of service delivery in the future.

The Cabinet Member responded to questions from Councillor Barnes:

-       In relation to the cost of different options, it was clarified that the earlier report which was presented to Cabinet in November 2021 considered refurbishment of Alexandra House in the short term before the Civic Centre was re-opened and Alexandra House was let. It was noted that the current options provided a like for like comparison as much as possible. It was explained that the business case looked at the same consistent lifespan for both options. It was highlighted that the higher costs for retrofitting an existing building presented additional challenges compared to a new building that could be specifically designed to meet need.

-       It was noted that the car park option was £0 in one of the papers. It was clarified that there was an opportunity to let Alexandra House via option 2, through vacating for council back office use, meant that some income would come from this. It was explained that the options sought to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 704