Anger over the timing as £40m Council House revamp wins approval - with poll
THE £40m plans to refurbish Derby's Council House were backed by Conservatives and Liberal Democrats at last night's council meeting.
The ruling Conservative group said that the Corporation Street building had been seriously neglected in the past and that the investment now was sensible.
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How the Council House in Derby might look after a £40m revamp is completed
Lib Dems agreed a revamp was positive for the city.
But Labour condemned the expenditure at a time when the authority was facing swingeing cuts to its budget.
Councillor Martin Rawson said it was the "wrong time" to present the report.
Referring to the Government's decision to axe investment in new school buildings in Derby, Labour's Martin Repton, said: "How can we stand here in a few years' time with a new roof over our heads when we are denying our children the same thing?"
But Tory councillor Sean Marshall, in charge of finance on the council, said the repair bill for the Council House stood at £14m and so investing now made sense.
"Over the years we have ignored the building and it is in serious disrepair," he said.
The plans, recommended by the cabinet, were approved by Liberal Democrats and Conservative members but voted against by Labour.
Similarly Lib Dem moves to reduce the number of commissions which scrutinise the council's work were voted against by Labour while supported by the Tories.
The changes will remove the climate change commission, set up to oversee the implications of council decisions on the environment.
Lib Dem councillor Mike Carr said this work should instead be taken on by the commission which scrutinises the chief executive's office.
Labour councillor and vice-chairman of the climate commission, Baggy Shanker, said an independent climate watchdog should be kept.
His amendment to the motion, which would have seen the commission retained, was lost, however.
Labour was more successful in getting cross-party agreement for the organisation of a campaign to crack down on dog fouling and more enforcement action.
There was general agreement that efforts should be made in the future to show major sporting fixtures on Derby's Big Screen in the Market Place. It followed the controversial Conservative decision not to show the World Cup because of concerns about policing.
Mr Shanker's motion asking for a guarantee for major football tournaments to be screened was amended by Lib Dem Mike Carr so that it commits to council to look to screen all major sporting events where the policing cost is reasonable.
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by Dave Roome, Borrowash
Saturday, July 10 2010, 11:03AM
“Yes to Derby Schools, No to New Derby Council House
Please join our Facebook group to join our campaign to scrap the Council House building plans and divert the money to school rebuilding instead!
On 8th July 2010 Derby City Council published that it had approved a £40 million redevelopment of the Council House, one day... after Central Government announced that proposed school re-building in the city would be axed.
In times of cut backs does the Council really need to spend this money when a number of schools across the City are in desperate need of refurbishment?”
by Will, Derby
Thursday, July 08 2010, 9:34PM
“well said you council workers, applause. But i have met a more arrogant member in the council house. he was the deputy leader of the labour council.full of himself.”
by Pete, Derby
Thursday, July 08 2010, 9:02PM
“I am another Council employee who thinks this whole re-building is a waste of public money.
There is nothing much wrong with the Council House that a few coats of paint and minor refurbishment can't fix for 5/6 years until the economic situation improves.
This wole projkect is simply empire building by Wilkinson and his Strategic Directors cohorts who will be long gone to pastures new in 3/4 years leaving those of us left behind who have jobs to pick up the pieces.
It stinks, it really does.”
by council worker, Derbyshire
Thursday, July 08 2010, 8:52PM
“I'm one of the council workers who will apparently be rehoused in this new facility - and I also think it is the wrong time to be considering a building project of this size.
We get so many email messages regarding the relocation of staff etc and i can't see any of it happening in a month of sundays.
What a lot of the public don't also realise is that many frontline workers - particularly those in children's services are already being co-located within multi agency teams at 5 points across the city - so all of those services that they are saying will be available under one roof, probably won't be. This is also where they are losing the 550 staff to, hence the discrepancy in numbers of desks.
The whole situation is a complete joke, and while i've got a second to spout my views, it is my honest opinion that Adam Wilkinson, the great leader is the most ignorant and arrogant person i have ever had the displeasure to be in the same room as in my whole life.”
by Gobsmacked, Osmaston
Thursday, July 08 2010, 7:54PM
“Good to see this council have their priorities in order. Scrap the Climate Change Commission and set up a cross-party team to tackle dog fouling. Unbelievable!”
by wILL, dERBY
Thursday, July 08 2010, 6:29PM
“OOOOPS you can contact me at mrwilliamawright@aol.com. COME ON LETS DO IT.”
by WILL, Derby
Thursday, July 08 2010, 6:27PM
“There are 23 of us here and 22 are upset with this if. EACH OF US HAVE 10 FRIEND AND THEIR FRIENDS ALSO WE COULD ALL MEET AT THE COUNCIL HOUSE (TO ARRANGE) AND VOICE OUR DISGUST IT COULD BE THOUSANDS. THEN THEY WILL LISTEN. LET THE PEOPLE TALK.”
by Will, Derby
Thursday, July 08 2010, 6:20PM
“Derbyborn, I can see your point but you are wearing very dark glasses. how much do you think it would cost to build a purposely built Council house. not unlike the main police station, you could have all the space you like and the parking. May cost under £20million then sell the old Council house for riverside apartments and hey presto you could cover the costs. And the money saved put into the schools.”
by tim, derby
Thursday, July 08 2010, 6:16PM
“thats about right the council can find money for whot they want but tell us there is no money to keep care homes open councils waste so much money in the name we know best ha ha”
by Will, Derby
Thursday, July 08 2010, 6:09PM
“sorry Frank that was £40mill got a little carried away”