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The States could be considering moving out of Raymond Falla House in St Martins, it has been confirmed, as the site is within the scope of their estates' rationalisation plan.
These plans were first made public when the States' Chief Executive, Paul Whitfield, said in a speech on June 14 that staff would soon be moving away from the site.
Currently, some staff from Environment & Infrastructure, Economic Development and Health & Social Care are working from Raymond Falla House - but as part of the States' plan they are looking to 'improve the performance and returns' of its property portfolio.
Essentially, the plan is to reduce the amount they are spending on site maintenance and upkeep, and make any efficiencies they can.
And while he was not able to confirm if there was any time frame set for the project, the States' new Head of Real Estate, former Head of Law Enforcement Patrick Rice, said Raymond Falla House was in the scope of the rationalisation programme.
"In 2018, the States agreed a new Estates Plan, which set out a number of objectives. These were essentially to improve the performance and returns from this portfolio, in particular to maximise income and minimise expenditure, and provide a framework for deciding on the future of individual assets," he said.
The States have already been consolidating some staff into Sir Charles Frossard House.
"That plan identified that there are opportunities to rationalise the current portfolio. That should ensure better working locations and more efficient use of space, to reduce the amount required. However as the Chief Executive has stressed, it is not just about buildings, it is as much about how the States delivers services, and creating the right physical environment for that.
“Raymond Falla House is within the scope of that programme, but we are not yet able to quantify the savings that releasing this site might achieve, and no time frame has been set.”
The States has an 'extensive' property portfolio. It views its list of sites and buildings as a valuable operational resource, but also an ongoing liability.
Grange Road House was previously used by ESC.
Mr Rice explained that there was regular investment needed to keep the buildings up to date and in good order, and therefore they were always looking to ensure they were working as efficiently as possible.
Previously, the States moved its Education staff out of the Grange Road Building - which there are now plans to turn into housing - in order to make savings because the building was ageing and falling into disrepair.
Pictured top: Raymond Falla House.
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