A report by the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management sought decisions to guide further rationalisation of the Council’s administrative accommodation. It reviewed progress made to date and required confirmation of the strategy that had been developed over the past three years as a basis for further decisions on the retention or vacation and disposal of individual buildings.

The report drew upon lessons learned from work to date and considered the likely context within which further rationalisation would be required.  It also reviewed the current stock of `core’ administrative accommodation, made recommendations to vacate specific buildings and sought a decision on options for the further vacation of core administrative buildings.

The Cabinet received a copy of Minute No. 83 of the Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of 31 January 2012 that had considered a report of the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management.  The Committee had requested that its comments on this matter be referred to the Cabinet.

Consequently, it was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had commented as follows:

‘That progress had been slow in the development of the Strategy and options appeared to be limited for target reductions in overall space occupancy to be met.  Members supported the retention of Birkenhead Town Hall and expressed the view that a plan should have been in place to allow for changes to be made to Planning Policy to allow for the disposal of sites at the Bebington complex to be used for residential development.  Members considered the proposals for the Conway and Hamilton Buildings and how to make best use of the available space.  The Committee also re-affirmed its view, previously expressed (minute 32 (24 August 2010) refers) that the refurbishment and intensification in the use of the North and South Annexes at Wallasey, was the preferred option (Option 3 in Appendix E of the Cabinet Report).

However, a Member expressed an opinion that, at this stage, the Committee should not indicate a preferred option and commented that Option 3 was not ambitious enough, as it would remove only 2,645 sq.m. of floor space.’

The Overview and Scrutiny went on to resolve:

  ‘That

(1)  the comments of the Committee be referred to the Cabinet; and

(2)  the Committee believes Option 3 to be the most practicable option at this stage, and that it reflects the Committee’s previously stated view in relation to the redevelopment and intensification in use of the North and South Annexes.’

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the Cabinet notes the progress made in vacating and disposing of administrative accommodation;

(2)  the principles guiding rationalisation and workplace design set out in the report of the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management be confirmed as the basis for planning and implementing the vacation of buildings and the intensified use of remaining administrative accommodation;

(3)  those buildings listed in Appendix B to the report be retained for use as administrative accommodation and the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management be instructed to report  ...  view the full minutes text for item 279

At the request of the Chair, the report of the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management to be presented to the Cabinet on 2 February 2012 is attached for Members’ consideration.

At the request of the Chair, the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management presented his report on Office Rationalisation, which was to be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on 2 February 2012. The report sought decisions from the Cabinet to guide further rationalisation of the Council’s administrative accommodation. It reviewed progress made to date and sought confirmation of the strategy that had been developed over the past three years as a basis for further decisions on the retention or vacation and disposal of individual buildings.

The Head of Asset Management commented that the report drew upon lessons learned from work to date and considered the likely context within which further rationalisation would be required. It reviewed the current stock of `core’ administrative accommodation, made recommendations to vacate specific buildings and sought a decision on options for the further vacation of core administrative buildings.

The Chair advised that he had requested feedback from all Members of the Council and he sought the views of the Committee to be presented to the Cabinet in relation to the recommendations contained within the report and specifically, to the preferred option for the vacation of a further core building or buildings.

Members commented that progress had been slow in the development of the Strategy and options appeared to be limited for target reductions in overall space occupancy to be met. Members supported the retention of Birkenhead Town Hall and expressed the view that a plan should have been in place to allow for changes to be made to Planning Policy to allow for the disposal of sites at the Bebington complex to be used for residential development. Members considered the proposals for the Conway and Hamilton Buildings and how to make best use of the available space. The Committee also re-affirmed its view, previously expressed (minute 32 (24 August 2010) refers) that the refurbishment and intensification in the use of the North and South Annexes at Wallasey, was the preferred option (Option 3 in Appendix E of the Cabinet Report).

However, a Member expressed an opinion that, at this stage, the Committee should not indicate a preferred option and commented that Option 3 was not ambitious enough, as it would remove only 2,645 sq.m. of floor space.

On a Motion by Councillor Gilchrist and seconded by Councillor Keeley, it was –

Resolved (9:1) (Councillor Brighouse voting against (2) below) –

(1)  That the comments of the Committee be referred to the Cabinet.

(2)  That Committee believes Option 3 to be the most practicable option at this stage, and that it reflects the Committee’s previously stated view in relation to the redevelopment and intensification in use of the North and South Annexes.