Issue - meetings

To consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services on the proposed decision set out in the report.

1.            Mrs Spore introduced the report and explained that, since last reporting the issue to the Sub-Committee at its 12 April meeting, a key decision had been taken to award two refurbishment contracts subject to finalising some detail. The final costs of the two projects were now known, and these were higher than anticipated. A new key decision was being sought to approve progression of the two projects, subject to the additional funding being available. 

2.            In response to a question, Mrs Spore confirmed that the savings planned when the New Ways of Working programme had been proposed had already been met and could not be endangered by the increase in costs for the final two projects.

3.            The Cabinet Member, Mr Cooke, added that, although the project costs had proved higher than expected, he had been faced with a choice of proceeding at slightly greater cost or abandoning the final two projects and leaving the New Ways of Working programme incomplete. He stated his wish to continue with the projects on the basis set out in the report, subject to the additional funding being available.

4.            RESOLVED that the decision proposed to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services, to award two building contracts to undertake the New Ways of Working Programme at the Avenue of Remembrance, Sittingbourne, and St Peter’s House, Broadstairs, subject to the additional funding being available, and to 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, be endorsed.   

To consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services on the proposed decision. as set out in the report.

1.            The Cabinet Member, Mr Cooke, introduced the report and advised the Committee that the proposed refurbishments could be financed within the existing budget.  Mrs Spore added that the two sites concerned in the report made up the final phase of the New Ways of Working programme, and the refurbishment would ensure that both premises were fit for purpose. 

2.            A view was expressed from the Committee that the quality of the office accommodation at both sites was poor.

3.            RESOLVED that the decision proposed to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services, to award two building contracts to undertake the New Ways of Working programme at the Avenue of Remembrance, Sittingbourne, and St Peter’s House, Broadstairs, and to 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, be endorsed.