Councillor Ian Harvey

To consider an exempt report on the procurement of construction services for conversion of the West Wing, Council Offices.

This report contains exempt information within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006:

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because, disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in the bidding procurement of contracts by allowing other parties to know the position of the Council.  This in turn prejudices the Council by (i) distorting the procurement process and (ii) prejudicing the opportunity for the Council to place contracts for the prudent management of its financial affairs.

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Cabinet considered an exempt report seeking a construction budget for the conversion of the West Wing, Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames, to 25 new apartments.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Cabinet:

·         Withhold approval of the expenditure budget for construction works

Resolved to:

1.    Authorise the spend of £5,200,000 for the procurement of construction works;

2.    Authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to enter into any legal documentation necessary to implement the redevelopment project; and

3.    Delegate the appointment of the contractors to the Group Head of Regeneration and Growth in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

Reason for decision

The conversion of the West Wing, Council Offices to residential use will meet the wider objectives of the Council in increasing the provision of housing within the Borough. The ongoing revenue stream (once the works have been completed) will assist in the future long term financial stability of the Council.