Issue - meetings

There will be a presentation at the meeting updating the Panel on Office Space Allocation – Changing the Way We Work. The presentation slides are attached.

The Strategic Director gave a presentation on the Workplaces Programme.

Panel members asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Gerrish asked if Abbey Chambers is Council owned and if it was due for any enhancements before it is used for meetings. The Director confirmed that it is Council owned and that work will be done on the building if it is used as part of the answer to the shortfall in meeting rooms.

Councillor Gerrish asked that the Council make a public statement in light of the problems with contractors and the lights being kept on on the top floor north in Keynsham. He stated that the lights are on all the time for understandable reasons but that it would be helpful to explain to residents that Council Tax is not being spent on this. The Director noted the point.

Councillor Gerrish stated that some officers working in the new building are concerned about the heat of the building in the summer. The Director explained that windows can be opened and that it was too early to make assumptions and the building management system isn’t yet fully commissioned.

Councillor Barrett stated his concern about many officers working from home. He asked that calls be transferred to the correct person. He asked how many people working from home last month and whose insurance coves them. The Director explained that staff are enabled to work from home, not required. He stated that he did not have the figures yet but they should be collected. He explained that staff work in their own domestic environment and their own insurance covers them.

Councillor Barrett asked how many staff have mobile phones and at what cost. The Director explained that staff can use their own mobile phones and not as many phones are issued now as were in the past. He stated that more information could follow on this.

Councillor Myers asked about unused space. He gave the example of the Hollies Council Chamber that he has requested to use out of hours. He explained that there is not a good process for this. He also agreed with the point made about staff hot-desking and not always being able to reach people on their desk phones. The Director stated that he would get more information on the Hollies. With regard to the phones, he stated that it is a new system and teething issues are being worked on and there is also a continuing staff training issue.

Councillor Macrae asked about the Wifi in Council buildings, the Director stated that he would follow this up.

Councillor Macrae stated that there are 20/30 desks in the Hollies and asked if local staff members could work there rather than travel to Bath and Keynsham. The Director stated that this could be encouraged.