Council approves Civic House upgrade
A million dollar upgrade to the first floor of the Nelson City Council building is planned for next year, with further plans to move the council chamber.
At the final full council meeting of the year, councillors approved the $1,036,510 spend on upgrading staff facilities on level one of Civic House.
Included in the report to councillors was an initial concept design to move the council chamber from the second floor down to the ground floor, as part of a projected revamp of the streetlevel of Civic House.
That work is yet to budgeted and approved, but was included as an attachment to report outlining the business case for the first floor upgrade.
An estimate for the upgrade of the rest of Civic House, including the ground floor, has a $5m price tag, with the work programme earmarked to take place over the next five to six years.
The first-floor upgrade
The report to councillors said the first floor has had no refurbishments or changes for the last 30 years, and staff satisfaction with the space was low. It said staff were just 37.5 per cent satisfied with their physical work environment, while the Local Government standard is 57 per cent.
A council officer told councillors the new upgrade was planned to last for up to 15 years before new refurbishments might be needed.
‘‘As long as it’s not 30 years again,’’ she said.
The upgrade had been planned for some time, with first plans produced in 2008, and several recom- mendations made to address health and safety of staff.
Concerns included ceiling tiles that weren’t compliant with new earthquake standards and could pose a risk to staff during a seismic event. The lighting was not deemed suitable, nor the heating and cooling systems.
As well as upgrades to these areas, council staff will get new furniture which includes standing desks, a plumbed sink with tea and coffee facilities, improved work and meeting spaces, and managers will get interior office spaces.
The first floor upgrade is part of a wider plan to upgrade the interior of Civic House.
Councillor Kate Fulton said the upgrade was long overdue.
‘‘I think that it’s really important we have our staff working in a modern, light, spacious environment, with new furniture,’’ she said.
By improving the work environment, Fulton hoped it might help retain staff.
‘‘If staff are happy in their workspace they’re going to stay, and one of the issues we’ve had over the years is retaining our staff.’’