Borough pushes on with £13m PSV plan
A VISION for a new £13million town hall for Havant has taken a step closer to becoming reality after councillors voted unanimously to grant approval for the transformation of the 1970s building.
The so-called Public Service Village is a partnership between Havant Borough Council and Hampshire County Council to bring public services on to one site.
Construction work is due to start in autumn for a new two-storey atrium, including a new reception, cafe, public toilets and an 'interview zone'.
The long-term vision is that other organisations will move to the civic campus.
Council leaders are also set to appoint a project manager to oversee the revamp of the existing site in Civic Centre Road.
The aim is to bring all local public services together into a 21st century piazza-style development.
But the clock is now ticking to get the project off the ground, said Havant council leader Tony Briggs.
The council has been awarded a 5.1million grant from the government's Department for Children, Schools and Families.
However, this will be lost unless the plans for the redevelopment are drawn up and contractors signed within two years.
The Tory leader said: "We have exactly two years. It's going to be a challenge but we will manage to do it.
"If we don't then the department will want their money back. So we have to do it."
One of the principal aims of the grant is to get Hampshire County Council's social and children's services – currently dotted around in buildings across Havant, Leigh Park and Waterlooville – working on one site at the new town hall.
The new civic centre is also set to be home to other public bodies, including the health authority, police and fire services.
It is hoped this will create jobs and save the council money because it will be sharing the building with other organisations.
Buildings currently used for Hampshire County Council's services could be sold off or redeveloped once the county council relocates offices to the new site.
"It will mean people don't have to travel all over Havant to access services," said Cllr Briggs.
Cllr Ken Thornber, leader of Hampshire County Council, said: "The granting of planning permission for this exciting project marks a key milestone in the provision of efficient and effective 21st century public services to residents across Havant.
"By making more effective use of office space through design and the introduction of flexible working arrangements for employees the building will help to deliver significant savings."
Talks are also under way on how to link up local shops and the new town hall.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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