The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Planning and Property which sought approval of the development and implementation of an Asset Management Plan for the Civic Centre to ensure that the Council’s assets were being appropriately used for the transformation of wider public service sector delivery, in line with item no.7 on the agenda (‘New Service Delivery Model of Preventative Wellbeing’).

Decision made: (Unanimously)

1.    Development of an Asset Management Plan/Strategy for the Civic Centre, informed by a condition survey, planned maintenance and refurbishment programmes, incorporating a refresh of current plans for third floor, to ensure consistent ‘corporate South Ribble/campus brand’.

2.    To receive a further future report regarding cost and programming of works to achieve a consistent fit-out across the building on a ‘whole asset approach’ including Gateway space, to enable a refreshed ‘Gateway to a Seamless Public Service’ within the building.

3.    The principle of Lancashire Care locating within the building as part as an integral service delivery model to be located on second floor, subject to agreement of contractual terms.

4.    Delegate authority to Corporate Property Officer and Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Asset and Transformation and Finance to agree detailed occupational terms with Lancashire Care.

5.    Halt for now development of the catering framework and explore use of kitchen in line with LCFT’s scope and work with the Civic Project group to look at how they can provide a USP in terms of a socially responsible business model and as part of the offer for external agencies to use the Civic Suite.

6.    Utilise existing allocation within the Capital programme to fund Condition Survey, development of planned maintenance and refurbishment programmes in most cost effective and efficient way.

7.    Continue to proactively explore potential of further utilisation of the building, engaging with public sector partners including LCC, Police and MoJ.

Reason(s) for the Decision:

1.     The Civic Centre is crucial to the continued delivery of South Ribble services in the future. In addition it constitutes a fundamental element to successful implementation of the Council’s aspirations regarding new services delivery models of preventative wellbeing and the Campus Concept Model.

2.     Consequently it is imperative that the physical condition of the building is maintained to a good standard, that a planned maintenance programme is identified and budgeted for, and that the asset is ‘future-proofed’ as far as possible. In order to ascertain the extent of backlog maintenance and likely timescale for repair/replacement being required, a survey of current condition is required.

3.     Works are currently underway on the ground floor Civic suite, with a second phase of works under review (see paragraph 5.2 of the report), and following extensive staff consultation aspirations to refurbish the third floor of the building have been reflected in the Capital Strategy.

4.     It is proposed to pull together these elements and aspirations, align to the direction of travel regarding integrated service delivery (see paper entitled New Service Delivery Model of Preventative Health on this agenda) into a cohesive ‘Asset Management Plan/Strategy’ for the Civic Centre as one asset best fit to support the Council’s ambitions moving forward.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Individual ‘floor by floor’ piecemeal refurbishment of the building could be progressed although this approach would not maximise the opportunities to reduce cost of overall programme, support robust budget planning and monitoring, develop a clear physical ‘branding/image’ as a visible statement of Transformational change, being ‘open for business’ and attract multiple occupiers.