An assessment of the planned move to a new headquarters at Hungate is to get underway as a new scrutiny topic for the council. After a long wait to agree a meeting schedule, councillors look set to sit down for the first time on 18th November to get underway with the evaluation.

Committee member Coun. Julie Gunnell said:

"After a long wait for the Lib Dems to select their councillor representatives to join the committee, I'm pleased we are finally going to get on with the job we were tasked to do. The delay has meant the whole process has slipped. Thankfully we can now look at whether the problems surrounding Hungate were out of the council's control or whether its own plans for such a major project were flawed from the start. I'm confident we can now address the objectives of the scrutiny topic".

The following remit has been agreed to direct councillors' investigation:

To clarify whether the correct strategy for the accommodation project was set and adhered to, in order to ensure any future council projects are delivered on time and on budget.

And Coun. Gunnell says the objectives of the study should provide a comprehensive picture of how the project was planned and managed. She said:

"The key objectives are especially important, including understanding the effectiveness of part of the council acting as client and its relationship with the planning process. I am confident the findings of this committee will provide the council with much to learn from and also determine whether or not the council ought to be acting as client for projects of this size".

"The key now is for the scrutiny committee to get on with its work and report as soon as possible. The city cannot afford any more delays and dithering".