Decision details

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Director, Place and Economic Growth which sought approval of repurposing and recycling of corporate furniture and to enter into a new contract with a furniture supplier to enable to complete the transition phases of a number of projects relating to corporate accommodation under the Creating Better Place Programme.

To promote new ways of working the Council was introducing a flexible and modern office environment to strengthen service delivery and meet the expectations of out workforce, partners and residents.

This approach would enable the Council to reduce its corporate estate, repurpose sites for development, release efficiencies, whilst retaining the ‘Resident First’ focus.

The key assets undergoing refurbishment over the next two years were, Beaver Family Hub, Alexandra Park Eco Centre, Spindles, Royton Town Hall, Chadderton Town Hall, Markets, Events and Archive and the Old Library.

In order to complete the projects, Facilities Management Team and Procurement colleagues undertook a mii tender process under an existing Framework agreement to select a suitable supplier for a period to cover the next 4 years.

Options/alternatives considered

Option 1 - Accept the recommendations: To approve the proposals regarding existing furniture stock and proceed with the contract arrangements for a preferred furniture supplier for the next for years will allow the objectives around corporate accommodation within the Creating a Better Place programme to be realized. This includes decant staff and services from the Civic Centre into the new workspaces at Spindles, Old Library as well as PBI Community Hub sites across the borough, which aligns to the council’s residents first approach.

Option 2 - Do nothing - Not to approve the proposals regarding existing furniture stock and purchase the new furniture requirement would not allow the council to achieve all the required desks within the new Spindles workspace and the objectives would not be achieved with the existing corporate furniture. New furniture would be bought on an “ad-hoc” basis reacting to failures without a certain consistency of supply in place. 

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet would consider the information contained at Item 17 of the agenda before making a decision.