Strand 2 - We need to review our capital investment, what should we consider when doing this? [Topic now closed]
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Cllr David Alston
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Tuesday 22 June 2010 10:13:06 am
Strand 2 - We need to review our capital investment, what should we consider when doing this? [Topic now closed]
Capital spending pays for new and improved facilities including schools, care homes, roads and bridges, flood prevention schemes, as well as supporting the local economy. In 2009/10 the Council is spending £69m on capital. By spending less on capital we can reduce the amount we need to pay back.
A further way to reduce costs would be to look at our capital investment in terms of design and priorities. Should we be adopting a modular approach to the construction of any new Council buildings? This approach which utilises standard design modules can lead to savings in both build costs and lifecycle costs. Alternatively, should we allocate a higher proportion of our capital budget to projects which would reduce operating costs, for example schemes to improve energy performance of properties.
•Invest in new buildings only where they reduce running costs
•Invest in improving existing facilities rather than new buildings
•Reduce specifications to reduce build costs
•Increase investment in renewable energy systems within buildings to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions
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anony man
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Saturday 26 June 2010 4:12:02 am
Capital Investment - buildings
The Council's building stock is very often not fit for purpose and to continue to throw money at maintenance and 'improvement' of existing buildings is very often rather futile.
Investing money in new buildings which could amalgamate many existing offices into the one appropriate environment would surely ultimately lead to better use of limited funds and decrease maintenance costs. Dingwall....the number of Council offices dotted around town in unsuitable buildings - surely savings could ultimately be made if this was addressed and a rigorous and active marketing campaign for the sale of unused buildings/land was made to rid the Council of old Estate.
This is not only an issue in Dingwall - it's repeated in many towns throughout the area (including Inverness)
anon
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Adele Stevenson
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Tuesday 29 June 2010 10:36:30 am
Turn it down a little
When looking at the cost of buildings, have a thought about the heating. I find most, if not all, council offices to have the heating turned up to an unecessary level, sometimes bordering on the tropics. How many times have we received leaflets through our doors telling us how we will save money, not to mention the planet, by turning our thermostats down? A little bit of 'practise what you preach' would surely save the council a fair bit of money over a year if applied to every office/building they own?
ALS
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Anon Anon
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Thursday 01 July 2010 12:59:43 am
Capital invrstment
Use prudential borrowing not PPP which is a rip off loved by Labour Tory Lib dem and Independents and the private sector financiers who make a mint at the expense of the council taxpayer
Keep services in house
Not surprised
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