Decision details

To seek Executive Board’s approval for additional “invest to save” capital funding to enable the procurement and build of a new citywide, single depot and headquarters for Environmental Services; providing a sustainable/long term base for over 600 staff and up to 120 vehicles/wagons from Refuse and Cleaner Neighbourhood Teams. The cost to be fully met from anticipated efficiency savings made as a result of the new, strategically located facility. The facility will be built on Council owned land off Newmarket Approach, adjacent to the Recycling and Energy Recovery (RERF) facility, where all the city’s black bin waste is taken.

Further to Minute No. 6, 21^st June 2017, the Director of Communities and Environment submitted a report which provided an update on the development of proposals regarding the provision of primary office and depot facilities for Environmental Services and local office accommodation and accessible facilities for other Council departments. The report also sought approval of the necessary injection into the capital programme, together with the necessary approvals regarding the related ‘Authority to Spend’ and incurring of expenditure for the proposed project.

Members welcomed the proposals detailed within the report and received further information regarding the timeframe for the delivery of the scheme.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That authorisation be given to £5.066m of prudential borrowing funding to be injected into capital scheme number 32782/000/000, which will be fully funded from associated savings identified from with the Environmental and Fleet Services revenue budgets; with it being noted that this project will help realise efficiencies, saving and capital receipts in excess of the cost of borrowing for the revised full scheme cost;

(b)  That approval be given to the ‘Authority to Spend’ and to the incurring of expenditure of £9.076m from capital scheme number 32782/000/000 for the construction work and associated fees for the construction of the new facilities;

(c)  That it be noted that the appointment of a contractor will only occur once the implications of the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted and the risks relating to the programme and costs have been resolved to the satisfaction of Legal and Procurement Officers;

(d)  That it be noted that the Director of Communities and Environment will be responsible for the delivery of the project, and that the necessary authorisation be provided to enable the Director to enter into all other agreements required to deliver this project efficiently.