Issue - meetings

Cabinet has adopted the principle of a single council hub to support the future operating model and ways of working described in the Organisational Design Programme. This Report sets out the current Estates context, the options for achieving a single council hub and the evaluation criteria to be applied to the options, and the recommended way forward for the delivery of a single council hub for BCP Council.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)          the findings and recommendations as outlined in this Report be endorsed and adopted;

(b)         the refurbishment of the current Bournemouth Town Hall complex be adopted as the preferred model to deliver the BCP Council Civic Centre;

(c)          an exercise to Pre-Engage the market in order to assess and test the potential supplier relationship options and costs to support the implementation of the BCP Council Civic Centre be approved;

(d)         the S151 Officer be authorised to consider the potential impact of the costs and benefits of the BCP Council Civic Centre project on future versions of the BCP Council Financial Strategy and Medium Term Financial Plan;

(e)          the Cabinet agree to receive a further paper in June 2020 setting out the delivery plan and funding arrangements for the BCP Council Civic Centre project.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

Reason

To adopt the current Bournemouth Town Hall complex as the preferred site for the future BCP Council Civic Centre and to authorise Officers to undertake pre-market engagement with potential suppliers to assess delivery and cost options.

The Leader of the Council presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'F' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet were advised that the principle of adopting a single council hub to support the future operating model and ways of working described in the Organisational Design Programme, had already been agreed. In relation to this Cabinet were informed that the report outlined the current Estates position and, the options for achieving a single council hub.

It was noted that recycling one of the existing buildings was the preferred option. Neither of the main office accommodation in Christchurch or Poole was of sufficient size to accommodate the requirements of BCP Council.

Cabinet were informed that the Overview and Scrutiny Board had established a working group to look into this issue. The Leader requested that staff were fully engaged in the process moving forward. It was noted that there would be a Member/ Officer working group looking at issues around decanting and staff concerns. Cabinet Members raised concerns about how the venues not identified as the main hub would be redeveloped and it was noted that this would be given careful consideration in future.

Councillor Butler requested that the future of the buildings not being used as the main centre for the Council be opened up to public consultation.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)        the findings and recommendations as outlined in this Report be endorsed and adopted;

(b)        the refurbishment of the current Bournemouth Town Hall complex be adopted as the preferred model to deliver the BCP Council Civic Centre;

(c)        an exercise to Pre-Engage the market in order to assess and test the potential supplier relationship options and costs to support the implementation of the BCP Council Civic Centre be approved;

(d)        the S151 Officer be authorised to consider the potential impact of the costs and benefits of the BCP Council Civic Centre project on future versions of the BCP Council Financial Strategy and Medium Term Financial Plan;

(e)        the Cabinet agree to receive a further paper in June 2020 setting out the delivery plan and funding arrangements for the BCP Council Civic Centre project.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council