Another Step Foward for Bexley First
The London Borough of Bexley has announced the 'Long List' of
developers selected to submit outline proposals for the redevelopment of the
site of the Bexley Civic Offices and help to realise the aims of the Bexley
First programme.
Eight developers have been invited to enter into discussions with Council
Officers on Bexley First objectives and the Council's needs and requirements,
that will assist in formulating their outline proposals - due to be submitted
to the Council in late August 2008.
"The aim of Bexley First is to improve the Council’s efficiency
and delivery of services to local residents - putting Bexley at the forefront
of the way modern councils operate," Cllr Teresa O’Neill, Leader
of the London Borough of Bexley said today.
"Two of the building blocks for this programme are bringing the majority
of staff together in one location and the introduction of new technology and
flexible ways of working – this will enable the Council to provide services
which better meet the needs of the people of Bexley.
"Council officers have already started adopting new flexible ways of
working, such as using better technology, for more efficient delivery of services",
Cllr O’Neill said.
Improving Service Delivery -
One example is Bexley’s children’s social workers take up of smart
phones which enable them to access work calendars and emails on the road. This
saves inconvenient trips back to the office to catch up on paperwork or to
make appointments and other arrangements.
Social workers are better able to help families during their visits, whether
making on-the-spot arrangements or contacting a manager for further input to
resolve pressing issues such as housing, health or benefit matters. This gives
our socials workers more time to be out in the community delivering services
where they are needed.
"The residents of Bexley will see more evidence of changes as Council
officers work through new practices, which will be fully realised when staff
move into the new civic centre accommodation," Cllr O'Neill said.
Developer Evaluation -
When developers submit their outline proposals they will be assessed against
a range of evaluation criteria, including the quality of scheme design. Other
criteria will take account of a development’s impact on the vitality
and viability of Bexleyheath Town Centre, the creation of a cohesive townscape
and the commercial viability of proposals.
"Robust financial assessment of the proposals will also be an important
element of the evaluation to ensure the Council’s principle of best value
for money is applied to this landmark Council programme," Cllr O'Neill
said.
"The Council looks forward to working with these developers to help
realise the benefits of the Bexley first programme for the residents of Bexley."
The successful developers are:
- Cathedral Group Plc
- John Laing Projects and Developments
- Kier Group Plc
- Land Securities Trillium Ltd
- London and Regional Properties Ltd
- Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd
- The Mall Limited Partnership
- Tesco Plc through its subsidiary Spenhill Regeneration Limited in partnership
with St James’s Investments
The Council's assessment of the eight design outline solutions will
result in the announcement, in October, of up to four short listed developers
who will be invited to work up more detailed proposals.
