PAPER C2

Committee :    RESOURCES SELECT COMMITTEE

Date :              8 MAY 2002

Title :              ACCOMMODATION REVIEW PHASE 3

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

This report brings to the Select Committee the results of investigations by Members and officers of the Property Asset Management Task Group. The draft report attached makes several recommendations including: the creation of a "Hub" approach, the allocation of accommodation under the Council's new structure, rationalisation of space, criteria for allocation of accommodation at County Hall, greater use of ICT and the ring fencing of resources.

Members are being asked to put forward recommendations along the lines of the draft paper appended to the Executive.

BACKGROUND

Since local government reorganisation in 1995 the improvement and rationalisation of the Authority's support officer accommodation has been the subject of a three part review. Phase 1 agreed a multi site approach, phase 2 delivered modern Member accommodation and phase 3 aims to improve utilisation of existing space and create a central hub at County Hall.

OUTCOME OF CONSULTATIONS

This report has been prepared in consultation with building users including the Asset Management Group, Sites Liaison Group with extensive input from the Property/Asset Management Task Group.

The Task Group has carried out site visits to all of the properties which form part of the review. The report has been presented to the Directors on 18 April and received their support.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Your officers believe that the proposed moves and improvements can be funded within existing budgets with the intention to create a surplus. Your officers seek approval for the "ring-fencing" of receipts from capital disposals of existing office accommodation to fund the moves. At the completion of the programme a small surplus is expected.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

None.

OPTIONS

1.        Approval of the attached report for submission accepted by the Executive, subject to any comments Members have. The report includes the following recommendations:

           ●          Relocation of Wight Leisure to Westridge/sell 17 Quay Street

           ●          First floor of The Guildhall to be a display area, subject to grant

           ●          Coastal Management Team and Ventnor TIC to Salisbury Gardens/sell TIC

           ●          Relocation of Library Headquarters/sell existing site

           ●          Museum Workshop Team to Cothey Bottom/sell Quay House

           ●          Car Parks/Traffic Education Centre move - Shide/County Hall/Jubilee Stores

           ●          Surrender lease of Bugle House in 2006/move Training to Northwood House and relocate Wightcare to County Hall

           ●          Find future use for Enterprise House

           ●          Review Social Services and Public Records requirements

           ●          Clear Forest Road of buildings for Wight Bus operation/sell Carisbrooke Depot

           ●          The Wight Bus operation at Mountjoy be relocated to Forest Road

           ●          St Nicholas House retained for the interim

           ●          Undertake large project of flexible working at Seaclose

           ●          All resources are “ring fenced"

2.        Not to accept the report and its recommendations for submission to the Executive.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Option 1 above.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

None.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

None.

Contact Point : David Lovell, ☎  823266

                                                                       M J A FISHER

                                                                     Strategic Director

                                                     Corporate and Environment Services