Knowle relocation project: "Hard to say how much it has cost so far, what the current projected cost is..."

The East Devon Watch blog asks a few pertinent questions:


SO, HOW IS EDDC’S OFFICE RELOCATION GOING? UPDATE AND SOME ODD FIGURES

20 FEB 2018

With the new barn-like EDDC HQ taking shape in Honiton, how is the project going? How much has it cost so far? What is the current projected cost?

Hard to say. Owl searched for news of the “Office Relocation Project Executive Group” and was directed to its website:

http://eastdevon.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/committees-and-meetings/other-panels-and-forums/office-relocation-project-executive-group/

where readers are told to consult the project archive:

http://eastdevon.gov.uk/access-to-information/historical-information/relocation-project-documentation-archive/project-document-archive/

Alas, the last document posted there was on 20 February 2013 (in response to the requirement of the Information Tribunal which EDDC lost) and Owl’s attempt to find anything more up-to-date (including current costings and financing arrangements) has so far failed.

Perhaps an EDDC councillor or officer can let Owl know where the latest information is – and who is in charge of the project these days?

Well, officers and councillors must read this blog! I have been pointed to ANOTHER website (thanks):

http://eastdevon.gov.uk/access-to-information/historical-information/relocation-project-documentation-archive/

and here is the latest update:

http://eastdevon.gov.uk/access-to-information/historical-information/relocation-project-documentation-archive/

Archive 8 states on 18 October 2017:

“Progress – going well. Costs remain within budget allowances. Spend to date is £3.745,000 leaving a balance of £6,840,148m.”

and on 15 November 2017:

“Progress – going well. Costs remain within budget allowances. Spend
to date is £1.403m leaving a balance of £6.482m with a contingency of £245,000. Completion date is scheduled for 15 October 2018 with a relocation date of 21 December.”

http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2373382/joint-project-exec-and-officer-wkg-group-minutes-151117.pdf

Now – Can anyone explain the discrepancy? £3,745,000 spent to date in October 2017 and £1,403,000 to date a month later?

So, how is EDDC’s office relocation going? Update and some odd figures | East Devon Watch

It's been a long story:

"From the beginning of its relocation project, EDDC claimed it would be ‘cost neutral’[1] – but after vacillating between the options over some years, the costs have now escalated.[2] Indeed, the primary reasons for relocation have focussed on ‘cost’ – and these have been proven time and again to be totally spurious[3], if not hopelessly under-estimated.[4]"

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[1] “Cost neutral” is not cost free | Sidmouth Independent News

[2]  Knowle relocation project: "East Devon District Council has ditched its plan to move to Skypark near to Exeter airport from its current headquarters in Knowle in Sidmouth."

[3] Relocation…balancing the books | East Devon Watch

[4] Knowle relocation project: time for some number crunching >>> a £17 million cost ... or even £30 million? and Knowle relocation project: Cabinet meets Wednesday 14th December >>> "The tender price index for British construction has risen 15% since EDDC announced the cost of the Honiton new build in March 2015. And we know that Exmouth has been subject to a 67% increase."

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