Agenda item

(a)  To note Council progress in making 25 Windsor Road (25WR) available to use as the Council’s HQ;

(b)  The remainder of the Ground Floor and the entire 4th Floor at 25WR are being fitted-out to support the requirement to accommodate:

·  approximately 180 staff being transferred back in-house from Arvato;

·  a Post Room and an IT Workshop. 

(c)  The 5th floor will continue to be made available for commercial let to a third party.

The Director of Finance & Resources introduced a report that updated on the HQ relocation project at 25 Windsor Road and the proposed use of different assets.

Lead Members were informed that the fit out of 25 Windsor Road was progressing well and the building may be available to begin a phased move from July 2019.  The construction, technology, access and transport issues were progressing and the main IT transformation would begin once the Council had control of its assets after November 2019.  Since the decision to acquire the property in May 2018 a number of decisions such as bringing Arvato services back in-house had impacted on the original business case.  It had been decided that the 180 staff transferring back to the Council would primarily be based at the new HQ.

It was also noted that front of house staff currently based at Landmark Place would be transferred to Cornwall House when the existing lease for LMP expired in May 2020 and the opportunities to move some provision into other satellite buildings would be explored through the Localities Strategy.  East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group had expressed an interest in leasing space at St Martin’s Place which may provide an opportunity to retain the building as a Community Hub.  This option was being explored and was anticipated to come back to Cabinet for a decision in the Autumn.

The Cabinet discussed the plans and was reassured that the revised costs and benefits had been reviewed and the overall financial outcome was not adversely impacted from the business case approved by Cabinet in 2018.  Speaking under Rule 30, Councillor Strutton raised a number of issues about the impact of reduced rental income at 25 Windsor Road, insurance and IT issues.  The Director responded to the points raised and confirmed the appropriate insurance was in place.  The update was noted.

Resolved –

(a)  That the progress in making 25 Windsor Road (25WR) available to use as the Council’s HQ be noted;

(b)  That it be noted that the remainder of the Ground Floor and the entire 4th Floor at 25WR were being fitted-out to support the requirement to accommodate:

·  approximately 180 staff being transferred back in-house from Arvato;

·  a Post Room and an IT Workshop. 

(c)  That it be noted that the 5th floor would continue to be made available for commercial let to a third party.