To comment on the report.

The Executive Director introduced the item and informed Members that the work that had been completed on the York House refurbishment was available to view at 2.7 of the report, and the programme of works still to be completed was at 2.8. Members were reminded that the refurbishment would allow for 28,000 square feet of improved office accommodation in Windsor.

The Chairman informed Members that he had been contacted by a resident, John Holland, who had expressed concerns about the refurbishment project. The Chairman invited Mr Holland to address the Panel. Mr Holland made the following points:

·         Figures suggested a refurbishment would cost £1.8million and the creation of a second storey would cost £1.5million; however figures in a Cabinet Regeneration Sub Committee report said the total cost was now £9.2million

·         A different project had transpired, involving the demolition of large parts of the original building

·         Requests to see the business case for the refurbishment had been rebuffed, with a Freedom of Information request deemed unreasonable. Mr Holland stated that there would have been nothing confidential in the business case

·         At the last Windsor Town Forum it was stated that there was no business case

·         The value of the existing building had been decreased in Council reports

·         The refurbishment project did not represent value for money

·         Money had been wasted on the feasibility study into sharing the site with Thames Valley Police

The Chairman explained that he had asked for the Cabinet paper on the York House update to be brought to Panel.

Cllr Rankin accepted that it had been unclear from the language used in the reports what the extent of the refurbishment would entail and it was not clear how much of the building would end up being demolished. He stated that, as ward Councillor, he had apologised to some residents. Cllr Rankin said political decisions had also contributed to the increased costs, as it had been felt that a Council facility that was on a par with Maidenhead Town Hall should be available for Windsor residents. Cllr Rankin also stated that the refurbishment would lead to an increase in the rental value of York House, and that Members had made statements relating to York House having seen the business case, which had not been critiqued by residents.

The Executive Director stated that it had always been planned that the project would be part refurbishment, part demolition, as this was the only way York House could be updated to suit officer and Member needs.

Cllr Saunders said that the internal configuration of York House had long been considered as not fit for purpose. Consideration had been given to moving to a different site, but it was felt prudent to retain a Council presence at York House. Cllr Saunders stated that Thames Valley Police had approached the Council with a view to sharing the building with their admin staff; however insurmountable operational difficulties emerged which led to them stepping away from the project. This had led to the current project, which was having to be funded entirely by the Council.

It was agreed that a meeting would be set up between the Executive Director, Cllr Rankin and Mr Holland to discuss the project and to answer the questions that Mr Holland had made in his letter to the Chairman. It was also agreed that all Members of the Panel would be able to see the written answers.