Agenda item

The report sought a view from the Shadow Executive on the proposed approach to the development of a short and longer term office accommodation strategy for the new Buckinghamshire Council to support service delivery and the democratic process both in transition and transformation.

RESOLVED:

1.    to agree that the new Unitary Council will have a countywide footprint for both Members and Staff, and that the emerging policy will enable the flexibility to work in any of the new council’s offices across the county.

2.    to agree to a two phase office accommodation strategy as set out in the report to include:

a) a first phase to take the necessary steps to implement the proposed small Unitary Headquarters at the Gateway, Aylesbury, on an interim basis.

b) a second phase to take the necessary steps to enable the transformation work for the office accommodation strategy post vesting day.

3. to delegate authority to the Shadow Interim S151 Officer to make necessary appointments of consultants and contractors to facilitate the work to progress the strategy and implementation, provided that costs fall within the budget envelope set out in the report.

The report sought a view from the Shadow Executive on the proposed approach to the development of a short and longer term office accommodation strategy for the new Buckinghamshire Council to support service delivery and the democratic process both in transition and transformation. It was noted that correspondence from UNISON relating to the proposed approach had been received.

It was felt that the Gateway was a sensible choice for a small corporate headquarters on an interim basis given its central location in the county and the fact that this is a modern building with sufficient car parking for Members and staff.

A concern was raised as to the proposed budget of £700k for the transition accommodation strategy. It was noted that the budget was the maximum amount expected to be required, and was to ensure that the building was fit for purpose to cater for the needs of 147 Members and staff from vesting day. The Chief Executive was asked to keep this budget under review. 

Members felt that the approach for the majority of members of staff to remain in their existing offices in the interim was a sensible approach. It was suggested that, although Aylesbury was the geographical centre of the county, the largest population was further south and that a venue further south of the county might be more suitable. It was noted that, at present, Aylesbury was the closest town to their homes for the majority of members of staff working for the 5 Bucks Councils. Furthermore, it was clarified that this strategy only referred to office accommodation, and was not about access to Council services by members of the public. A further paper on council access points was under development, and this would include the arrangements by which members of the public will be able to call into see the Council at different locations across Buckinghamshire.

It was questioned as to whether external consultants or in house specialist knowledge would be used to support the development of the longer term accommodation strategy, and it was noted that the Council would seek to minimise the use of external consultants where possible.

It was advised that there was space available at the Gateway for a small corporate headquarters, and that the potential lost rental income for the space proposed to accommodate the headquarters at the Gateway would need to be taken into account in developing the budget for the new Council.

RESOLVED:

1.    to agree that the new Unitary Council will have a countywide footprint for both Members and Staff, and that the emerging policy will enable the flexibility to work in any of the new council’s offices across the county.

2.    to agree to a two phase office accommodation strategy as set out in the report to include:

a) a first phase to take the necessary steps to implement the proposed small Unitary Headquarters at the Gateway, Aylesbury, on an interim basis.

b) a second phase to take the necessary steps to enable the transformation work for the office accommodation strategy post vesting day.

3. to delegate authority to the Shadow Interim S151 Officer to make necessary appointments of consultants and contractors to facilitate the work to progress the strategy and implementation, provided that costs fall within the budget envelope set out in the report.