Purpose

This saving proposal is a unique opportunity for the Council to make significant cuts in expenditure without reducing the level of services to the Borough of Ashford. There are no redundancies as a result from this move and this is reflected in the saving stated. This proposal looks at rationalising the Council’s office space bringing forward significant savings in the region of £1.3m per annum, the Key areas of this report include:

• An annual saving of £1.3m, removing a pressure of £6.5m across the Medium Term Financial Plan (5 year plan). The proposed savings of £1.3m will need to be added as a pressure in the MTFP if this proposal doesn’t move forward
• There are no cuts in services
• There are no proposed redundancies
• The future expansion or contraction of the Council will be easier to control at International House due to the size and layout of the building
• The Council has vacant office space within our property portfolio currently standing at 2234m²
• Staff and public consultation were well responded to and there were no areas of concern that couldn’t be addressed or satisfied as appropriate through review and response.

Should this move not go ahead alternative savings will be required and the Council will be unable to generate this level of savings without stopping services. To achieve £1.3m of saving an average reduction in staffing would be around 32 full time equivalent staff from discretionary services, such as enforcement, town centre, economic development and areas where statutory services have been enhanced.

Decision

(i) The relocation of the Civic Centre to International House, including Phase 1 and Phase 2, be approved.

(ii) It be noted that Phase 3 will include a future report to the Cabinet detailing the future use of the Civic Centre.

(iii) The Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer be authorised to negotiate, finalise and complete all necessary legal agreements and other documents to give effect to the above.

Minute no 146/09/23 (Cabinet)

Alternative options considered

Option 1 - Proceed with relocation
Option 2 - Not relocate and spend £10 million+ to ensure the Civic Centre remained habitable and compliant.