Issue - meetings

Cabinet adopted our Organisational Design and Operating model as the basis of the BCP Council Transformation Strategy. Below is set out the results of the Market Pre-Engagement process, the estimated budget requirements for the implementation of the programme and the preferred procurement and contract structure for the partner/supplier relationship(s). Also recommended is a change in approach to the direction of travel agreed in February with regard to the Estates & Accommodation Strategy and the utilisation of Bournemouth Town Hall campus as the BCP Council Civic Centre and administrative hub.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)          Note the feedback from the Pre-Engagement process with potential partners/suppliers;

(b)          Approve the Procurement approach and contract structure, including the capped Framework Limit;

(c)          Authorise the commencement of the procurement process and delegate authority to the Chief Executive to award the contract in consultation with the Leader and appropriate senior officers;

(d)          Approve the proposed governance including the establishment of a Cabinet Working Group to provide oversight of the programme;

(e)          Approve the funding proposals as set out in section 39 a to b of the report; and

(f)           Approve the acceleration of the adoption of Bournemouth Town Hall Campus as the BCP Council Civic Centre and administrative hub.

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(g)          Approve the budget set out in Appendix 1b of the report; and

(h)          Approve the funding proposals as set out in section 38 a to c of the report.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader

Reasons

To approve the budget and procurement approach required to successfully deliver the BCP Council Transformation Strategy adopted by Cabinet in November 2019 and to approve a short term shift in the Estates & Accommodation Strategy in light of the impact on ways of working by the Coronavirus/ Covid-19 crisis.

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 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet were reminded that the Organisational Design and Operating model had previously been adopted as the basis of the BCP Council Transformation Strategy. In relation to this Cabinet were advised that the report set out the results of the Market Pre-Engagement process, the estimated budget requirements for the implementation of the programme and the preferred procurement and contract structure for the partner/supplier relationship(s). In addition to this Cabinet were advised that a change in approach to the direction of travel agreed in February with regard to the Estates & Accommodation Strategy and the utilisation of Bournemouth Town Hall campus as the BCP Council Civic Centre and administrative hub was also recommended.

In presenting the report the Leader advised that the use of technology and remote working had been accelerated due to Covid, and that it seemed logical to accelerate the move to the Town Hall and the sale of the Poole Civic Centre and the Christchurch Civic Offices.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed Cabinet advising that at their recent meeting the Board resolved to make the following recommendations to Cabinet in respect of this item:

1.    The Overview and Scrutiny Board recommend to Cabinet that more detail be sought in relation to option b as the preferred choice of contract structure/procurement, recognising the lack of detail in this report regarding the cost of this process and the parameters of success.

2.    The Overview and Scrutiny Board ask Cabinet for an urgent review into the Council’s Capital Receipts Strategy to ensure that value to the tax payer is maximised. In particular the Board asks Cabinet to consider opportunities to increase value through consideration of completing planning applications or Council development on relevant sites before disposing of assets piecemeal.

The Leader thanked the Board for their recommendations and advised that as there is now more time in between the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting and the Cabinet meeting that it had enabled more detailed discussion of the recommendations from the Board to take place. This has also enabled officers and relevant Portfolio Holders to discuss and consider the recommendations and their impact, and for a briefing note to be prepared to further assist the Cabinet in making their decision. Further to this the Leader advised that the briefing notes prepared for the Cabinet would be published on the Councils website following the Cabinet meeting.

In respect of the Boards recommendations the Leader advised that she understood the concerns with regards to a fire sale, and that assets wouldn’t be sold at below value. Further to this the Leader advised that having a delay in the process would be short-sighted.

Cabinet Members spoke in support of the Recommendations contained within the report.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

a)            Note the feedback from the Pre-Engagement process with potential partners/suppliers;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 182