Issue - meetings

Councillor Harvey

To consider a report on proposals to progress the Council office space consolidation project.

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 ability of the authority to secure best value through a procurement exercise by allowing potential bidders to know the Council’s estimation of the value of the related contract.  This would distort the tender process and have a detrimental effect on the financial viability of the Council’s office consolidation project.

Cabinet considered a report on proposals to progress the council office space consolidation project, including proposed building works, refurbishment and installation of new double glazed aluminium windows and also the purchase of office internal infrastructure and fittings.

Cabinet was also asked to exempt contract standing orders and delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to select and award a contract.

Alternative options considered and rejected by Cabinet:

·         To decline to replace or delay the replacement of windows;

·         Not to undertake refurbishment work;

·         Reject proposal for new internal infrastructure and fittings;

·         Not to delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive to select and award a contract;

·         Take no action.

Resolved:

1.    To approve the decision to progress building works, refurbishment and the installation of new double glazed aluminium windows;

2.    To approve the decision to purchase office internal infrastructure and fittings;

3.    To agree to exempt contact standing orders and delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (in consultation with the Portfolio Holder) to select an internal infrastructure and fittings supplier from a pre-procured Framework as recommended.

Reason for decisions:

These decisions are fundamental to the delivery of the project as optimisation of council office space at Knowle Green will be achieved through the physical opening up of current offices (building works), the improvement of the working environment (refurbishment and new windows) and the saving of space (modern and efficient internal infrastructure and fittings). The exemption is required to enable a more swift delivery of the project.