Transcript of Workplace 2010 Video for the Market

Intro VO: The world is changing. The way we work is changing

Main VO: And that includes the Northern Ireland Civil Service – now developing a modern, open work environment which will mean forging exciting new partnerships with the private sector.

This programme is called Workplace 2010 – a change in the provision of Government office space that will offer efficient and flexible accommodation for the civil service right across Northern Ireland.

It is being introduced because a modern civil service is not just about buildings. It’s about creating an open environment that supports team working and communication; that allows knowledge and information to be shared.

New technologies, enhanced processes and a more focused use of resources will help improve the way the Civil Service works.

Nigel Hamilton, Head of NI Civil Service: The Northern Ireland Civil Service is responsible for a wide range of public services. We have to ensure that those services are delivered to the best possible quality and in the most efficient way. Part of our approach to that has been to look at the Civil Service itself to see how we can reform and modernize the Civil Service to make sure that we are fit for purpose. We are about quality, efficient, transparent public services.

I think that the key to this is to ensure that what we’re doing both meets the business needs of our organization and meets the needs of the staff and therefore I think that a modern, flexible open-plan based office space optimizing new technology will produce a great deal of satisfaction for the staff and I’m convince that Workplace 2010 will provide the flexibility, will provide the accommodation and the technology to enable us all to deliver the best possible quality public service that the people of Northern Ireland are entitled to.

VO continues: Workplace 2010 means there will now be a huge move to modernize the accommodation for Northern Ireland civil servants. The project is likely to be the largest single office property development deal in Northern Ireland in recent years, involving over 280,000 square metres of freehold and leasehold space from the civil service estate.

It involves property right across Northern Ireland.

The inclusion of a number of buildings at Stormont - Dundonald House, Castle Buildings, Massey House and the Craigantlet and Hillview buildings and all the annexes – will be determined by the outcome of a public consultation process.

The overall programme will be delivered in partnership with the private sector through a Private Finance Initiative which will comprise the provision, maintenance and facilities management of office accommodation for civil servants over a 20 year period.

John Hunter, Permanent Secretary, DFP: We’re anxious to form a long-term relationship with a private sector provider in connection with the provision of office accommodation to the Northern Ireland Civil Service. In developing that long-term relationship we’re keen that the providers should share our belief in the importance of public service and would help us achieve value for money solutions to our accommodation needs. Through that, we would aim to free up resources which could be transferred into frontline services and other of our core businesses.

Our estate has grown up on an adhoc basis in recent years and we see a major opportunity to rationalise the estate, concentrating on larger accommodation which is more suitable to open plan, while at the same time providing much more flexible use which will take account of changes in organizational structure in the future. All this, we believe, will make a tremendous difference in terms of our ability to produce better value for money from the estate while providing better conditions for our staff and an improved environment for those who visit our offices.

I think the private sector potentially has a huge role to play and the private sector has experience of working in different ways to the Civil Service. It has experience of best practice in developing appropriate accommodation requirement for organizations. So we believe we can capitalize on the best practice and embrace it into the Civil Service, adapting it for our own particular circumstances.

VO continues: Appointing a private sector partner involves a full procurement process. A notice inviting expressions of interest has now been issued across the whole EU contracting marketplace. Pre-qualification responses must be made by January 2006. When evaluated, bidders will be invited to negotiate in April 2006.

David Gavaghan, Chief Executive, Strategic Investment Board Ltd: Many of us in the SIB have come from a private sector background and we understand the issues that are important to the private sector and the commercial aspects that will excite interest from the private sector. In particular, what the private sector likes is to hear about a project that’s been well thought through, a very strong identification of the scope of the activities and then an emphasis on delivering according to the timetable set out. And there is extraordinary commitment on the part of the SIB and Northern Ireland Civil Service to ensure that the programme is to time.

It will be fundamentally important for the public sector that, in their choice of private sector partner, they find a partner who can deliver not just at the outset and during the negotiation periods, but beyond that. There is a huge refurbishment programme which is very important in the early part of the contract, and then from the outset of the contract, throughout the contract is the importance of delivering good service and in terms of the long term maintenance of the estate across Northern Ireland. So the public sector w ill be paying very close attention to the capability and the track record of the private sector partner in delivering according to those commitments.

Historically, the term profit has been regarded somewhat pejoratively by the public sector. We believe that profit is vitally important in terms of generating wealth and prosperity for Northern Ireland and it is about a fair profit with a fair return for the risks transferred and the delivery of good services for the citizens of Northern Ireland and this project sits totally within that umbrella.

VO continues: After negotiations, a contract will be awarded and it’s anticipated that work will begin from April 2007.

So, Workplace 2010 means real improvements to the Civil Service working environment while making best use of public assets.

And it means bringing private sector enterprise on board in a unique and innovative way.

If you want to know more about the Workplace 2010 programme visit the website www.workplace2010ni.org