Agenda item

The Leader’s Portfolio

To consider report DCE/016 of the Deputy Chief Executive, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission on 26 June 2023.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a)         agrees to the proposals as set out in Sections 5-6 of report DCE/016.

b)         approves the use of budget secured through HPS/31 to undertake the capital costs related to the implementation of the proposals set out in report DCE/016.

Reasons for the Recommendations

It has been recognised for some time that the Metcalf Way Depot is under-utilised. Report DCE/16 sets out proposals to intensify its use moving forward and in doing so to modernise the working environment of the staff working there.

One reason for the under-utilisation is the move to Neighbourhood Depots, the final one being Creasys Drive. Creasys Drive will have running costs, but this has yet to be budgeted for. The intention is that greater utilisation of the Metcalf Way Depot will provide a revenue stream for this.

Crawley Homes utilises a range of dispersed and sub-optimal accommodation for the storage needs of its main contractors. This way of working is creating efficiencies in relation to communication and logistics. This report proposes to utilise Metcalf Way Depot for these functions moving forward, leading to improved and more efficient working, and releasing the current assets for rent to residents and businesses.

Report DCE/16 also proposes the relocation of the Crawley Homes Cleaning & Clearance Team from 51 Spencers Road. This releases a Council asset either for rental or for disposal. A decision on the future of this asset will be taken separately but the potential is considered as part of the rationale for this proposal.

The Council has recently secured Social Housing Decarbonisation Funding (SHDF) Wave 2 as part of its retrofitting of its Crawley Homes stock. This will require additional storage facilities that are currently not available. Report DCE/16 sets out the proposals for this, and how they align with the broader direction of travel but does not require approval and so there is no related recommendation.

The proposals as set out in report DCE/16 also benefit the General Fund position, and the proposals have been developed with an eye to achieving this.

The Leader of the Council presented report DCE/016. The report sought agreement on the proposal to alter the depot to increase its use by Council services and contractors, together with the finances required.

Councillor Ayling presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report OSC/311 to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 26 June 2023, which included that they sought clarity on the financial aspects of the initial proposal and expressing their disappointment that there had not been the energy supply capacity to the site in order to progress with an earlier project proposal.

Councillors Irvine spoke in support of the proposals in relation to his housing portfolio, commenting how the proposal was logical as currently Crawley Homes did not have a depot of its own, rather it used a variety of assets such as garages for storage purposes, which were inefficient and not fit for purpose. It was also noted all the storage in one place would also help as part of decarbonising our housing stock agenda.

Councillor C Mullins spoke as part of the discussion on the report.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a)          agrees to the proposals as set out in Sections 5-6 of report DCE/016.

b)          approves the use of budget secured through HPS/31 to undertake the capital costs related to the implementation of the proposals set out in report DCE/016.

Reasons for the Recommendations

It has been recognised for some time that the Metcalf Way Depot is under-utilised. Report DCE/16 sets out proposals to intensify its use moving forward and in doing so to modernise the working environment of the staff working there.

One reason for the under-utilisation is the move to Neighbourhood Depots, the final one being Creasys Drive. Creasys Drive will have running costs, but this has yet to be budgeted for. The intention is that greater utilisation of the Metcalf Way Depot will provide a revenue stream for this.

Crawley Homes utilises a range of dispersed and sub-optimal accommodation for the storage needs of its main contractors. This way of working is creating efficiencies in relation to communication and logistics. This report proposes to utilise Metcalf Way Depot for these functions moving forward, leading to improved and more efficient working, and releasing the current assets for rent to residents and businesses.

Report DCE/16 also proposes the relocation of the Crawley Homes Cleaning & Clearance Team from 51 Spencers Road. This releases a Council asset either for rental or for disposal. A decision on the future of this asset will be taken separately but the potential is considered as part of the rationale for this proposal.

The Council has recently secured Social Housing Decarbonisation Funding (SHDF) Wave 2 as part of its retrofitting of its Crawley Homes stock. This will require additional storage facilities that are currently not available. Report DCE/16 sets out the proposals for this, and how they align with the broader direction of travel but does not require approval and so there is no related recommendation.

The proposals as set out in report DCE/16 also benefit the General Fund position, and the proposals have been developed with an eye to achieving this.