Issue - meetings

The Chair highlighted the Delivery Update on pages 10-16 and opened the floor to questions.

One Member asked why the Roseland Crematorium was currently off track to achieve its completion date, why it was off track to achieve its approved contract sum, and which cost saving measures were being identified by the project team to bring it under budget.

The Director of Property and Construction replied that most of the delays were structural, as the architectural team’s designs had been found to be unsuitable, and that the project team had needed clearer direction in place.

The Director of Property and Construction highlighted that the architectural designs had specified certain materials like Italian marble and Zinc, materials that could be replaced with for more affordable substitutes without a reduction in appearance or longevity. Another example was the use of loose tumbled stone for a wall, the appearance of which could be achieved for less.

A Member asked if these cost saving measures would ultimately increase the time and capital of the delay.

The Director of Property and Construction stated they could only advise but insisted that to achieve what the architectural team had sought was not a financially viable option.

There was also the issue of securing these more expensive materials in the first place, as their prices and availability were changing frequently.

A Member asked about the completion date, and how far off track the project was.

The Director of Property and Construction answered that the project programme has had to be redone, but the period after the original expected date of completion had been allocated for the extended testing of the facilities and for staff training purposes. As a result, there will be no real detrimental impact to the completion date.

Moved by Councillor Will Fletcher and seconded by Councillor Jeanne Raspin

RESOLVED that the Dragonfly Development Limited (DDL) Delivery Update be noted.

The Director of Property and Construction and Councillor John Ritchie left the meeting.