The Changing Face of Local Authorities - Presentation by Mark Widdup, Director of Economy and Environment at Rochdale Borough Council - at FBE Breakfast on 24 July 2014

1. Rochdale on the Rise
Mark Widdup
Director of Economy and Environment

2. Number One Riverside

3. Number One Riverside
The Challenge
Dual Challenges for the Council and Partners:
 Reducing expenditure
 Delivering services that meet the needs and
expectations of citizens and businesses

4. Number One Riverside
The Brief
To transform the Council’s services:
 Improve Customer Services
 Maximise the potential of our people
 Drive staff performance
 Increase flexibility of staff
 Increase efficiency
 Achieve value for money

6. Number One Riverside
The Business Case
The proposal:
 Consolidation of 27 buildings into one
 Release over 60 buildings and sites for other
investment
 Design improved Customer Service Experience
 Support new and more efficient ways of working
 Save £1m pa in running costs
 To contribute £21.7m saving over 40 years

8. Number One Riverside
The Proposal
An iconic building in the town centre:
• Highly accessible customer service centre and library
• Accommodating 2,000 council and partners staff
• Large open plan floor plates - greater integration of staff
• Supports new and more efficient ways of working
• Benchmark of design adaptability and sustainability

10. Number One Riverside
Setting the Pace
An exemplar in sustainability:
• Biomass Heating Boilers
• Electricity generating panels
• Solar Thermal Panels for hot water
• Rainwater Harvesting & Green Roofs
• Thermal Mass cooling
• Night time Purging

12. Number One Riverside
Outcomes
• Customers and residents positive feedback
• Attendance levels have improved
• Reduced travel
• Improved networking and communication
• Partners and Council staff together
• Financial savings - £1M per annum
• Reduced number of buildings
• Promoting our approach to PSR

13. Number One Riverside
Awards
2013 Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Award – Building of the Year
2013 Mixology Interior Design Awards – Public Sector Project of the Year
2013 Concrete Society Awards – Building of the Year (Mixed Use)
2014 Civic Trust Awards – Commendation
2014 RIBA North West Regional Award
2014 RICS North West Awards - Building Through Innovation
2014 British Council for Offices Regional Awards – Corporate Workplace winner

14. Number One Riverside
Lessons Learnt
• All party decision – political buy in
• Dedicated project team to deliver transformation,
transition and completion
• Make the change then move

15. Rochdale Town
Centre
www.rochdaletowncentre.com
@RochdaleCentre

16. Context

17. Projects complete
Rochdale Leisure Centre
Hopwood Hall College
refurbishment
Sixth Form College
new build
Police Station refurbishment
Co-op Pioneers
Museum extension

18. Projects complete
Number One Riverside
Transport Interchange
Smith Street public realm

19. Metrolink

20. Projects Underway
or Planned

21. Preparing a Major Development
Site - Town Centre East

22. Town Centre East
• Retail and Leisure development
o Department store
o New retail units
o Cafes / restaurants
o Cinema
o Hotel
o Shoppers car park

23. Wheatsheaf Centre entrance

24. Rochdale Town Hall

25. Highways & Traffic
A more pedestrian & cycle friendly town centre – reducing through traffic

26. Kingsway Business Park

27. Kingsway Business Park

28. Stakehill Business Park

29. Heywood Distribution Park

30. Crown Business Park

31. Business Support

32. Housing Investment

33. Scheme Scheme details Timescale
(indicative)
Middleton 1,070 units £85m investment 2014 – 20
Heywood 458 units £35m investment 2013 – 20
Rochdale 1,720 units £121m investment 2013 – 22
Pennines 666 units £65m investment 2013 – 18
Total 3,914 units £306m investment 2013 - 22
Boroughwide Housing Investment

34. Any Questions?