Plans for Babergh and Mid Suffolk to reduce office space challenged

Plans for two Suffolk councils to reduce their office space in Ipswich have been challenged by councillors over concerns there was not enough detail about costs.

The cabinets at Babergh and Mid Suffolk district councils, which share a workforce, last week agreed to hand back one of their two floorplates at Endeavour House, in Ipswich, as hybrid working continues post-Covid.

The move would save each council £338,000, according to reports, with a cost of £250,000 each to reconfigure the two floorplates into one space.

But six Babergh councillors – four Conservatives, one Independent and one Green – have formally challenged the decision through the ‘call-in’ procedure, due to be reviewed at a scrutiny committee meeting on Monday.

The six councillors say that there was 'no breakdown of how £250,000 will be spent'.

In their written challenge, they added: “The cabinet approved the paper on a reduction to the floor plate but neglected to consider the expenditure.

“There should be an opportunity to examine, debate and vote on the capital costs once these details are available.

“This is a key decision as proposed expenditure is over £150,000. To fully comply with our constitution councillors must fully consider all the circumstances – this has not happened.”

No call-in was received from Mid Suffolk members.

Babergh’s Conservative/Independent/Liberal Democrat coalition cabinet voted by seven votes to three for the downsizing, while Mid Suffolk’s Conservative and Independent administration voted unanimously for the proposals.

A staff survey indicated 70 per cent felt they would be most productive with a hybrid working model of part of the week working from home and part of the week in the office.

David Busby, Liberal Democrat cabinet member for assets and investments, told the cabinet meeting: “We can reduce our overall floorspace in Endeavour House and use these savings to deliver a truly collaborative and inspiring workspace, while also delivering a net saving of approximately £338,000 per council and reducing our impact on the environment by reducing travel.

“This project will deliver a creative, flexible working space for staff and councillors as we return for more face-to-face working.”

But Conservative cabinet member for economic growth Michael Holt said he had 'great concerns' it was 'going down a path that members haven’t had time to discuss or debate'.

Clive Arthey, Independent deputy council leader, said it was clear the authorities no longer needed the same amount of space but stressed that long-term the councils needed to consider their identities and could look at a move to somewhere on the border of both districts, possibly around Bramford or Great Blakenham.

The two councils moved out of their district offices in Hadleigh and Needham Market and into Endeavour House in 2017 to deliver savings and unite the shared workforce in one space, although some councillors at the time felt it was moving the authorities away from their communities.

The five-year break clause of the 10-year lease falls this year, which prompted the timing of the decision last week.

A return to their districts was not considered feasible due to costs and viable space.

Babergh’s scrutiny will discuss the call-in and decision at a meeting on Monday morning.

If the decision is upheld, the break-clause will be triggered before March and newly configured floorspace completed by September or October.