Agenda item

To consider the attached report updating the Accommodation Programme.

L Wade introduced the accommodation report. She noted that work had now been completed on the Civic Centre and they were starting to repopulate the building in a Covid safe way. One of the first things to take place there would be the issuing of postal votes which will by necessity, have a large amount of people doing this.

A positive meeting had been had with Essex libraries and Portfolio Holders, where they were encouraged by the light open space that had been created and the additional spaces that could be used for community events.

There had been a huge effort by the organisation to clear out the existing space in the Conder building.  It had highlighted that as a council we can contribute towards the climate change emergency, by relying less on paper by streamlining services and storing data and documents within the cloud.

A new print to post service was currently in pilot development stages with Democratic Services, which would reduce the amount of printing that would take place within the Civic offices. 

With the 2nd floor now available for viewings, we have had some very positive interest which we are hoping results in offers being made.

The refurbishment continues to be within the agreed budget and is forecasting a positive variance.

Councillor Bolton asked about the court action being taken to extend the Zoom meetings. He was told that the Zoom emergency legislation terminated on 7^th May. The government was being taken to the High Court who should make a decision by the end of April. Currently officers were looking at how to hold Covid safe meetings.

Councillor Neville asked if we were ready for all eventualities if we had to meet in May. He was told that once the decision had been made it would be reviewed again.

Councillor Brookes noted that there were limited car parking facilities for staff and other people; what sort of provision had been made for people who wanted to use their cars? L Wade noted that there was still parking available especially for essential services, but they would encourage the use of alternative modes of transport.

Councillor Janet Whitehouse asked when members could have a tour of the Council Offices and as for parking there were a lot of spaces offered for the commercial lets on the 2^nd floor. Will there be enough parking for Councillors, especially in winter nights. She was told that visits to the Council officer would not be happening until around the mid-May period after the local elections. The 2^nd floor lets were offered the same amount of parking as council staff, for evening meetings most of the occupants would have gone home, freeing up space.

Councillor Sartin asked about members who had to come in for daytime meetings, such as the Licensing Sub-Committee meetings, they have to come in for these meetings and will have to park. L Wade said this would all be taken on board and consideration given once we started to return to the offices.

Resolved:

That the Committee noted the summary of progress on the Accommodation Programme and any verbal updates.