Issue - meetings

Accommodation Strategy Update

Meeting: 24/01/2022 - Cabinet (Item 596)

596 Accommodation Strategy Update pdf icon PDF 511 KB

Report of the Corporate Director, Resources.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That

 

(1)            the proposals for the delivery of the Council’s Accommodation Strategy including the use of ancillary spaces, be noted;

 

(2)            the procurement of a contractor to undertake works to fit out the ground floor of Sheldon House, Gayton Road to provide the Council’s emergency front door service and accommodation for the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, to the maximum value of £875k (construction costs including 10% contingency) from the £1.5m existing Capital Programme budget, be approved;

 

(3)            the Corporate Director of Community, following compliant procurement and consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Strategy, Regeneration, Partnerships and Devolution and Finance and Resources, be authorised  to award a contract to appoint contractors to complete the works set out in the officer report, noting the overall capital cost cap of £1.5m for works to all ancillary sites referred to the report, and to note existing delegated authority granted (in November 2018) to the Corporate Director for Community to agree any leases relating to the commercial units in Sheldon House;

 

(4)            the need for low-cost procurement for other ancillary site fit-out as mentioned in the officer report be noted and that these will be managed using delegated powers as set out in the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules; and

 

(5)            the Corporate Director of Community, following compliant procurement and consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Strategy, Regeneration, Partnerships and Devolution and Finance and Resources and the Director of Finance and Assurance, be authorised to appoint a Relocation Service contractor to deliver all move requirements for a smooth transition to Forward Drive and the Ancillary Sites, noting the budget of £200k that has been set for this purpose.

 

Reason for Decision:  The provision of space to accommodate those services which could not be moved to Forward Drive was a key part of the agreed Accommodation Strategy.  Procurement delegations needed to be agreed to move forward with the provision of this accommodation.

 

The fit out of Gayton Road supported the cessation of use of the existing Civic Centre at Poets Corner by the Council and its handover to the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership (HSDP) for the development of over 1000 new homes including affordable homes (subject to obtaining planning permission).  These new homes would provide significant additional social value and place making benefits.  It provided the site for key services that were moving from the Civic Centre and for our partner, the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, who are moving from the Civic centre site.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.