Issue - meetings

To consider a report which sets out the approach to optimising the Council’s workplaces and reviewing the size of the useable office estate.

The Committee considered a report which set out the approach to optimising the Council’s workplaces and reviewing the size of the useable office estate.

It was noted that the lack of a reference in the report to a member area at Macclesfield Town Hall was an oversight.

Members stressed the need to ensure that consultation with the staff affected by the rationalisation programme was robust and that staff were listened to.

In response to a question about the impact of working from home on staff productivity, officers commented that this mode of working had driven technological innovation, and staff had been fully equipped with the means to perform their roles effectively. 

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That the Committee

1.    notes the findings from the needs assessment and the emerging options to support the WorkplaCE Project;

2.    notes the MTFS requirement for overall financial savings as set out within Proposal 68 Office Estate Rationalisation (MTFS February 2023);

3.    notes the baseline data identifying the required office space to support the WorkplaCE Project and therefore the anticipated footprint for the council in the future;

4.    based on the findings of the needs assessment, approves progressing consultation with trade unions, employees, third parties and members by the Head of HR and the Head of Democratic Services on an option to close Westfield Offices Sandbach and, in that event, relocate staff within other areas of the corporate estate subject to consultation;

5.    delegates authority to the Head of Estates to market test and conduct consultation and feasibility studies in relation to surplus facilities, subject to the following requirements:

(a)  Options must achieve financial benefits over an appropriate period to help cover the costs of the office rationalisation project.

(b)  Options must achieve best value from such assets.

(c)  Options must be reported to the Economy and Growth Committee for approval prior to implementation.

6.    approves the Principles attached at Appendix 2 to the report and agrees that the Chief Executive will implement changes to working practices, HR Policies, and the Employee Handbook, subject to consultation and engagement with employees and third parties;

7.    notes that feasibility work on the option to relocate Macclesfield Library to the nearby Town Hall will continue and be subject to further reporting to the Economy and Growth Committee prior to consultation;

8.    delegates authority to the Head of Estates to provide flexibility in the workplaCE design at Macclesfield Town Hall offices that could effectively accommodate appropriate space for the library if necessary; and

9.    notes the ongoing partnership working with the NHS to provide joint accommodation that supports integrated working.