Decision details

Proposed decisions:

That the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services agree to award two building contracts to undertake the New Ways of Working Programme at (a) the Avenue of Remembrance, Sittingbourne (decision number 16/00044a) and (b) St Peter’s House, Broadstairs (decision number 16/00044b), and delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services, to finalise terms and enter into the necessary agreements.

How the decisions relate to BS4K and Corporate Objectives:

The future contract awards to refurbish and develop these key operational hub buildings will support the continued consolidation and operational efficiencies of office space in the East Kent region and ensure the presence of Key Office Hubs located in the Sittingbourne and Broadstairs areas to support and improve operational Social Care delivery.  The decisions link in with other corporate programmes such as ICT’s Unified Communications, Managed Print and Mass Data Storage projects and KCC’s Customer Services Strategy and Organisational Development Plans.

Financial Implications: The anticipated development costs for the projects are already included in the New Ways of Working Programme budget.

A report to the Property Sub-Committee on 8 July 2016 advises that the inclusive costs for the building refurbishment project for the Avenue of Remembrance site has been updated to £1.85m and the St Peter’s House site to £2.30m. Therefore, the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services will be asked to take fresh decisions in respect of the updated amounts.  These decisions will be numbered 16/00044a2 and 16/00044b2.

These decisions are a key part of the New Ways of Working Strategy. Should this not proceed there will be a high risk that Property & Infrastructure Support will not fully achieve the programme revenue savings currently budgeted, and the improvement to the safe and effective delivery of Social Care services in these areas is likely to be compromised. In addition, the delivery of the refurbished and developed local hubs will facilitate future relocation of staff, and appropriate consultations will be undertaken, as appropriate, in conjunction with HR Directorate support.

Legal Implications: There are no anticipated legal implications associated with the recommended proposals.

Equality Implications: There has been significant staff consultation as part of the project planning to date and a detailed overarching communications plan has also been prepared to support the ongoing programme implementation in the East Kent region. An initial Equalities Impact Assessment has been produced for the overall New Ways of Working Programme, which has been further developed specifically for the Avenue of Remembrance and St Peter’s House buildings, together with its County Council staff occupants and public users.

The matter is referred to in the Directorate’s Business Plan/Medium Term Capital Programme.