Report of the Director of Place TO FOLLOW

Contact: Mark Barrow         Tel: 01743 258919

It was proposed by the Deputy Leader, Councillor S Charmley and seconded by Councillor R Gittins that the report of the Director of Place on the Shirehall Redevelopment and Refurbishment Project, a copy of which is attached to the signed Minutes and the recommendations contained therein be received and agreed.

The Deputy Leader stated that Member briefing sessions had been held to convey the costs and risks to all who attended, 45 Members in total.  He explained that the Shirehall building was not fit for purpose and was inefficient to run and maintain in its current format.  Members noted that capital spend in the sum of £1.15M would be required to reach Stage 3 of the project, a formal tendering process would be required with a report to Council in Spring 2019.

The Deputy Leader suggested that Officers undertake further option appraisal work at no additional cost, in parallel with the procurement of the design consultants, to ensure that the best value option was secured for the Council. 

Councillor H Fraser suggested that further reports should be considered by the appropriate Overview and Scrutiny Committee prior to consideration by Council. 

Members discussed the alternatives to the refurbishment of Shirehall and the potential to relocate Shirehall functions to other locations in the County.  Members considered the importance of the central location of the building but suggested that a travel plan for staff should be developed to reduce the environmental footprint of the building.

RESOLVED:

i)     That the refurbishment of the entire Shirehall building be approved in principle, subject to a further report to be considered by Cabinet with a final business case, developed designs and final project budget.

ii)    That the addition of £1.15m to the capital programme to support Stage 3 of the project with delegation to the Director of Place to oversee the production of the final business case be approved.  Further option appraisal work be undertaken by officers, at no additional cost and in parallel with the procurement of the design consultants, to ensure that the best value option is secured for the Council.

iii)   Delegates to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Commercial Support, the development of the procurement strategy for stage 3 of the design process with developed designs brought back to Cabinet and Council for approval together with the final project budget be approved.

iv)   Further reports be considered by the appropriate overview and scrutiny committee prior to consideration by Council.