“Temporary” new HQ will cost States £7million

Monday 01 October 2018

Relocating 500 States staff to a temporary new headquarters will come with a price tag of at least £7million, while the financial benefits of the move remain unclear.

It was announced back in August that five States departments would be consolidated into the former RBC building on Broad Street.

Despite being billed as a “short-term solution until a purpose-built office is developed”, States officials said that the space would serve as the new headquarters for at least five years at a cost of £1million per annum.

Now a recent response to a request under the Freedom of Information Law has shown that, in addition to this cost, the move itself will cost between £2million and £3million.

Added to the annual rent, it means that the “temporary” relocation will see the States fork out at least £7million overall. 

Pictured: Cyril Le Marquand will no longer be the island's main government building once the move is complete.

It comes as part of new Chief Executive Charlie Parker’s ‘One Government’ plans to get States employees working closer together, which he believes will save “tens of millions” through driving efficiency in the organisation. 

But the exact savings attached to the headquarters move remain unclear. 

A States spokesperson couldn’t provide an estimate of the cost benefit of the move when asked by Express, but instead justified the £7million minimum expenditure on the grounds that current HQ Cyril Le Marquand House and the Environment Department’s South Hill premises could be sold and possibly turned into accommodation. 

They commented: “The cost of relocation is a one-off cost, which represents a long-term investment in modernising government and securing long-term cost efficiencies. Moving to one building will increase efficiency, enabling teams to work more closely together, and will streamline how services are provided. This will ultimately lead to better value for money in delivering services, a smaller government office footprint, and lower maintenance costs. 

“In addition, Cyril Le Marquand House and South Hill can be sold off or the land can be redeveloped, including for housing for key workers.”

Overall, the new headquarters will include: 

• most staff from Cyril Le Marquand House;
• corporate and administrative Health staff from Peter Crill House;
• corporate and administrative Education staff from Highlands;
• Environment staff from South Hill;
• teams from Maritime House;
• policy and strategy staff from across all departments.

The relocation of staff from Cyril Le Marquand House has already begun, with HR staff having cleared their desks and migrated to La Motte Street over the summer to pave the way for a new hub for ministers.

Their relocation came ahead of La Motte Street’s official opening last Monday as the new ‘Customer and Local Services Department’ – the new zone for all face-to-face interactions between government and islanders – featuring a set of ‘Welcome Hosts’. 

Over the course of this month, tax, passport and planning enquiries will all be moved into the building in a large-scale overhaul being described as ‘One Front Door’.