RESOURCES SELECT COMMITTEE - 20 NOVEMBER 2003

ACCOMMODATION REVIEW

REPORT BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR RESOURCES

PAPER C

REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

To consider the on-going priorities for the review of office accommodation.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE/WAY FORWARD/CONCLUSION

To agree that the project priority list set out in the attached papers is accepted as the key areas for review at the present time. This list will of course be kept under review with periodic reports to come back to Select Committee in the revised format as appended.

BACKGROUND

1. The Council’s decision to progress service delivery improvements through a front and back of house operation, including a call centre, and subject to next year’s budgets being agreed the call centre development will proceed.

2. This will lead to organisational changes which distinguish front and back of house operations and in turn with lead to the long term stability of office accommodation.

3. The main demands and requirements to achieving this long term stability have been set out in the attached table and whilst many details of the lower priority areas have yet to be worked up Directors are asked to support the first three priorities at this time.

4. This programme is a ring fenced budget in that the objective is to recycle resources and be self funding. There is no reason to change this approach at this time.

5. To date the entire programme is running at a deficit and the current emphasis is on disposal of surplus assets, in the main the former Library Headquarters and the former stores at Forest Road, that will recycle finance to match the capital already committed.

Contact point: Tony Flower, Head of Property Services F 823263 or [email protected]