Knowle relocation project: 'fiddling while Rome burns'

Local authorities are finding it impossible to balance the books - and are looking to increase Council Tax substantially:
Futures Forum: The future of our care services: local council funding is broken
Futures Forum: The future of our care services: councils increasing tax to fund adult social care >>> but not in Surrey

In other words, we are desperately strapped for cash.

In which case, as it has been pointed out many times - the District Council's 'vanity project' is just too much of an extravagance in these straitened times:
Futures Forum: Of vanity projects and local government
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: "Rather than expensive vanity projects, they should stay in their old home in Sidmouth (even expensive to heat) and concentrate on spending our money more wisely."

Especially with the costs of the relocation project so uncertain:
Has EDDC’s new Manstone depot satellite office block been included in relocation costs? | East Devon Watch
Knowle relocation: our construction expert writes … another £2 million down the drain? | East Devon Watch

And the lack of financial prudence has been questioned for some time now:
“Quite honestly, we have fallen flat on our face” with the relocation project, warns Honiton Councillor, Peter Halse | East Devon Watch

This piece from the EDW makes things very clear:

MANY COUNCILS EXPECT TO FIND THEMSELVES TECHNICALLY INSOLVENT SOON

10 FEB 2017

Many councils fear that they will become technically insolvent. So what does ours do? Pursues a vanity project relocation from one HQ to an HQ with two satellite offices – one which needs a massive amount of money spent on it because estimates of cost were made before a full survey was done (Exmouth) and one that requires new build (Manstone) – all three when building costs are rising 20-35% coupled with a growing shortage of skilled labour which will push wages up.

Fiddling while Rome burns? Play that fiddle!

“Some local authorities may be forced to declare technical insolvency in the next two years, experts have said, as councils struggle to weather the financial pressures caused by budget cuts and growing demand for social care.

A survey of councils in England and Wales by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) thinktank found that three-quarters had little or no confidence in the sustainability of local government finances and more than one in 10 believed they were in danger of failing to meet legal requirements to deliver core services. …

… “Councils have no faith in the system. They are patching together their finances by putting up council tax, drawing down reserves and increasing charges. Increasingly they worry that they will not be able to provide the vital services that people rely on.”

Councils 'at breaking point' due to budget cuts and rising social care bills | Society | The Guardian


Many councils expect to find themselves technically insolvent soon | East Devon Watch

See also:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: What are the costs to date and what are the projected costs?
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: throwing good money after bad >>> How the Honiton and Exmouth HQs will not improve on the current HQ
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: further hidden costs and out-of-date documentation
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: time for some number crunching >>> a £17 million cost ... or even £30 million?
Futures Forum: 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."

And:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: of devolution and rising costs
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