Construction underway on district council new headquarters

WORK has started in Williton on a centralised £2.9 million headquarters for West Somerset Council.
Council chief executive Tim Howes said: “We are delighted to be centralising our workforce in these new offices.
“This is a big investment for Williton, good news for the local economy, and a positive move for West Somerset.”
The majority of the existing collection of ageing council buildings on the site will be demolished and replaced with a two-and-a-half storey T-shaped modern building at the northern end of the Killick Way car park.
Recycling banks on the site were removed on Monday, April 23, in preparation for the build, and the council is encouraging people to recycle what they can through the fortnightly kerbside black box collection service, or to use the public facilities at the household waste recycling centre on the village’s Roughmoor industrial estate.
The recycling centre is open from 8 am to 8 pm in the summer and from 8 am to 5 pm in winter.
Subject to the Somerset Waste Board’s approval, the council hopes to return some recycling banks into a smaller area in March, 2008.
Council staff are being encouraged to park off site during the build, and the council has secured sufficient car park spaces on private land nearby, to minimise any disruption to the public.
Mr Howes said: “We have put in considerable effort to ensure the building’s orientation, layout, and design maximise the use of natural light, climate control, and energy conservation.”
The new offices will feature a metal ziplock roof which gives the appearance of traditional lead, with render, glass panel, and brickwork walls.
Two floors of the building will comprise meeting rooms and open-plan offices with a part-mezzanine executive officers’ suite in the roof space above.
Floor space will total 2,025 square metres.
The council chose Exeter-based contractors Mansell plc’s design for the new offices following public consultation last November.
More than 70 per cent of those who responded to the consultation said they felt Mansell’s design was most suited to the site.
The illustration above is an artist’s impression of how the new council offices should look. Drawing submitted.

April start for £2.9 million centralised district council offices

FULL planning approval has been given for West Somerset Council’s new £2.9 million centralised offices to be built in Killick Way, Williton.
Work is set to start on site in April and should be finished early in 2008. An artist’s impression of how the offices should look, is shown here.
The scheme involves demolishing the majority of the existing collection of ageing council buildings on site, which have been declared ‘not fit for purpose’, and replacing them with a two-and-a-half storey T-shaped, modern building at the northern end of Killick Way car park.
The new offices will feature a metal ziplock roof, which gives the appearance of traditional lead, with render, glass panel, and brickwork walls.
Two floors of the building will consist of meeting rooms and open-plan offices with a part-mezzanine executive officers’ suite in the roof space above.
The floor space will total 21,800 square feet.
Council leader, Councillor Christine Lawrence, said: “We are delighted we have gained permission and look forward to centralising our workforce.
“It is a big investment for West Somerset, good news for the local economy, and a really positive step forward for Williton.”
Chief executive Tim Howes said: “We have put in considerable effort to ensure the building’s orientation, layout, and design maximise the use of natural light, climate control, and energy conservation.
“There will also be a formal garden adjoining the main meeting room for staff and members to take breaks in, and for use by anybody at functions taking place in the building.”
A design by Exeter-based contractors Mansell plc has been chosen for the new offices following public consultation last November in which more than 70 per cent of people who responded felt it was the one most suited to the site.

Public consultation on district council office plans

West Somerset Council is inviting local people to comment on designs for its new offices in Killick Way, Williton.
Plans are being displayed in the reception areas of the council’s offices in Williton and Minehead during office hours on November 2, 3, 6, and 7, with a special weekend viewing between 9.30 – 1 pm on Saturday, November 4.
Council corporate director Bruce Lang said: “Questionnaires will be available so that the public can make their views known to us.
“We welcome people’s opinions on the external appearance of the building and their feelings on the visual impact it will have on Killick Way’s urban environment.”
The council has considered in detail what it needs from its new offices and commissioned project managers, architects, and mechanical and electrical engineers to draw its requirements into a technical document called the ‘employer’s requirements’.
“The internal layout is tailored to the council’s requirements and will not be subject to public comment.”
Three companies - Dean and Dyball, Mansell, and Cowlin - have tendered for this work using the ‘employer’s requirements’ to develop their proposals.
The tender submissions will be considered by the council and their appointed project managers, Cyril Sweett, before reporting to a special cabinet meeting, followed by a full council meeting on November 8.
Williton ward member Councillor Eddie May said: “We are pleased this project is moving forward.
“The plans will be designated X, Y, and Z, so that opinion is not swayed in favour of a particular contractor.
“The questionnaires will be analysed as they are returned so that we can use the information to indicate the public’s preferences to cabinet and council.
“These results, together with the project manager’s evaluation report, which will consider cost, compliance with the council’s requirements, programme innovation, and added value, will enable West Somerset Council to make an informed choice.”