Decision details

White Cross Education Centre (Mill 14) in Lancaster is one of a small number of premises which has been identified as a main office location, and as a neighbourhood centre through the Property Strategy agreed by Cabinet in September 2016.  Additional office capacity is being provided within Mill 14 to facilitate the vacation of Fraser House, Hampson Green and Palatine House.  It should be noted that Fraser House comprises office accommodation, reception area and meeting room facilities for public facing services and the intention is to provide a similar range of requirements at Mill 14.

The Property Strategy (Neighbourhood Centres) report presented to Cabinet in September 2016 outlined proposals for Mill 14 to include the front facing Registration Service, to be re-located from existing premises delivering the service in  Lancaster, Wellbeing, Prevention and Early Help (WPEH) 12-19+, support for families and the Youth Offending Team (YOT).

This report sets out progress at Phase 1 in developing the building to accommodate future use and seeks approval for a contribution towards costs from the Property Portfolio Rationalisation (Neighbourhood Centres Suitability Investment) capital allocation. It also recommends a review of the proposed Phase 2 works to ensure the building can be used to the most effective and appropriate use in future.

County Councillor David Borrow, the Deputy Leader of the County Council:

(i)  Approved the continuation of Phase 1 works through to completion and move services in to Mill 14 when available in mid-February 2017;

(ii)  Approved the additional fire safety measures to be carried out on the Ground and 1^st floors as part of the Phase 1 works;

(iii)  Approved that the costs of the Phase 1 works (final total £1.765m including fire protection and fire doors)  are funded from the following three sources a)a contribution of £0.165m from the 2016/17 corporate revenue Repairs and Maintenance  budget, b) use of £0.727m Asset maintenance earmarked reserve and c) the balance of £0.873m from the £20m Property Portfolio Rationalisation ( Neighbourhood Centres Suitability Investment) budget in the corporate block of the capital programme; and

(iv)Approved a review of the proposed Phase 2 works to the building.