Poole council expected to remain at Civic Offices until at least 2020

Questions had been raised about proposals to allocate £153,000 to finance improvements to the facilities at Borough of Poole’s offices given the approved merger with Bournemouth and Christchurch.

However, chief executive Andrew Flockhart told cabinet members this week that he does not expect the future authority to move out for “at least two years”.

The investment, which was unanimously approved by senior councillors, is to carry out work so that the council fulfils its legal obligations in respect of health, safety and equalities legislation.

Mr Flockhart said: “In my judgment I don’t think a future authority is going to close down and move operations from this building for at least two or possibly three years and in those circumstances that does not mean that council can evade its obligations to the public and the law.”

Work includes disabled toilets, baby changing and feeding facilities (£20,000), interview rooms (£15,000), interview booths (£55,000) and a queue management solution (£20,000).

The investment also features a £23,000 contingency fund.

Mr Flockhart said he understood it was difficult for cabinet to make a decision on allocating the “substantial” amount of money, but the recommendation before them was after “very careful” consideration on the duty the authority has for its own employees and to the public.

He added that the proposal was unusual in its nature compared to most cabinet decisions.

“I realise there had been a concern in investing in a building which may itself be subject to review in the future by this authority or more likely by a future authority from April 1, 2019,” Mr Flockhart said.

“I do understand that, however in my judgement the risks to the staff, to the public and ultimately to the council made me bring this recommendation that an investment is needed to mitigate the risks of incidents affecting staff from the public and ultimately claims against the council.”