See Reading Chronicle article

“we seek to ensure best value for money”

Reading, 28 November 2008  
Reading Conservatives continue to lead the debate over the redevelopment of the Civic Centre.  In June this year, Conservative councillors were the first to question the viability of the Civic Centre redevelopment proposals and called for a focus on tax payer value-for-money as the national economic situation worsened.  In addition, Conservative group leader, Cllr Andrew Cumpsty was the first group leader to challenge the approach at a Civic Board meeting.

Very soon afterwards the other political parties in Reading followed suit and agreed with the Conservatives that a review was necessary.

At the special council meeting on 27^th November to discuss the relocation of the Civic offices, the Conservatives called for the Civic Centre redevelopment to not be considered in isolation, and confirmed their opposition to the ‘do nothing’ option and also against refurbishment of the existing building.

In a Conservative-led amendment, supported by the Labour group, Conservative councillors proposed that a solution for new Civic offices should be considered together with the need for other civic amenities that have been mooted for the current site, such as a new theatre and library.  Furthermore, all options for the location of the civic offices, democratic space and customer service functions should be considered, whether that is in a new build scenario or in existing office space in the borough.

Councillor Andrew Cumpsty, Leader of the Conservative Group, said, “I’m delighted that our pragmatic approach was supported by other councillor colleagues, although with the exception of the Liberal Democrats.  In light of the current economic environment, we seek to ensure the best value for money for the council tax-payer and also a decent working environment for council employees.

Councillor Mike Townend, Conservative lead spokesman on Regeneration, commented, “It’s clear that we must marry a best value for money approach with the appropriate regeneration on this important town centre site.  We want to restore civic pride to Reading and provide for the people of Reading the civic amenities and facilities that they need and that the town, as the capital of the Thames Valley, deserves in order to attract businesses, visitors and prosperity.  This is why we would like this entire development opportunity to benefit from the economies of scale associated with looking at the potential to provide high quality civic amenities, not just at the relocation of the Civic Offices.”

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