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Marmion House Reception and Committee Meetings

 

 

Meeting: 16/09/2024 - Cabinet (Item 47)

47 Marmion House Reception and Committee Meetings pdf icon PDF 254 KB

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Report of the Leader of the Council to update on details for a proposal for reopening reception at Marmion House and the steps needed to make this area fit for purpose for our customers once again.  The report also proposes to relocate all Committee meetings from the Town Hall to the council chamber at Marmion House.  And proposes to update audio visual technology to enhance meeting delivery and undertake minor refurbishment work to the current

chamber.

 

RESOLVED:

Cabinet

 

1.

Agreed to reopen the reception area at Marmion House to provide face-to-face customer services which meet the needs of the whole community as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Friday between 10.00am and 2.00pm & Tuesday and Thursday 2.00pm - 6.00pm

 

2.

approved the addition to the establishment for up to two years 0.92 (Full Time Equivalent) Customer Experience Assistant, 0.6 FTE Customer Service Officer funded from reserves.

 

3.

Approved the redesign of the reception area to support the customer service offer which will open within four months of Cabinet approval (subject to contractors). 

 

4.

Agreed to review opening hours, usage, and customer feedback on a weekly basis with a full review at six months. 

 

5.

Agreed to continue to develop the service to explore and incorporate co-location working with statutory partners, the voluntary sector and community groups. 

 

6.

Agreed to continue to deliver the full customer service offer from the Tamworth Information Centre at the Assembly Rooms during their opening hours.

 

7.

Agreed to relocate all council meetings to Marmion House upon completion of audio-visual technology installation and minor refurbishment of the council chamber, except for the civic ceremonies; and

 

8.

 

 

approved the repurposing of capital funds identified for Recovery and Reset and Town Hall improvement projects to fund refurbishments to the chamber and Marmion House reception.

 

9.

A further recommendation was added that Cabinet

 

Agreed to consider the option in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder of the sustainability of the re-opening of the front door with the aim to negate the environmental impact.

 

 

 

(Moved by Councillor B Clarke and seconded by Councillor L Smith)

 

The Chair thanked Officers for the work that has been put into the report. 

Meeting: 05/09/2024 - Corporate Scrutiny Committee (Item 35)

35 Marmion House Reception and Committee Meetings pdf icon PDF 254 KB

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed the Assistant Director People and the Leader of the Council to introduce the Report, who handed over to the Portfolio Holder for People Services, Engagement and Leisure.

 

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and highlighted that recent research carried out as part of the corporate plan consultation, highlighted that priorities for residents included Council accessibility and communication, and improving face to face services and this was also the experience of Members. It would also be available for the voluntary sector to use and create a town hub, confirming the proposed opening times. The Assembly Rooms did not provide a suitable alternative to a front desk as it failed to provide decency to people who may already be in a vulnerable situation.

 

The Leader of the Council highlighted that the report also dealt with the issue of moving committee meetings to Marmion House where it was more accessible, there would be a bigger public gallery and give opportunities for better ICT whilst giving the Council an exciting opportunity to look embrace the heritage of the building and engage residents to look at use of the Town Hall for other purposes.

 

The Committee made the following comments/observations and asked the following questions:

 

1.     Whether the item had been on the forward plan?

It was confirmed that the matter had gone on to the plan on the 14th august.

2.     Whether the Council were turning their back on its heritage by using some of the budget for the town hall improvements for this project highlighting that the town hall was still available for use during the day?

Whether spending money on new items such as ICT and furniture in a temporary location was a waste of money and how could this be justified knowing that moving forward there are more budgetary pressures on the Council and whether accessibility should be considered at all costs? It was highlighted that the public gallery was rarely filled at the Town Hall.

The Leader of the Council highlighted that whilst the building was only used for meetings in the evening, it was set up as a Chamber all the time. When there had been matters of public interest in recent years the Town Hall had not been able to accommodate all of the public who attended. Currently staff must move between two buildings, there are times that two buildings are using heating and lighting. Whilst there is a lift the building is still not disabled friendly, and the location meant that there were issues getting to and from the building. Freeing up the Town Hall would enable a piece of work to be carried out to look at what else the building could be used for. The hope would be that in the future that this could form part of a heritage trail. Contracts on Marmion House would mean that they would expect to be using this for at least 5 years.

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that there were constant complaints about the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35