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.