Minister: Cost Saving Measures For Govt Offices

March 16, 2018

Cabinet recently approved revised space standards for Government offices to “make more efficient use of space and reduce costs,” and the reductions range from 35% for general staff to 66% for Department Heads, Minister of Public Works Lt/Col David Burch said.

Speaking in in the House of Assembly today [March 16] Minister Burch said that “existing Government office space standards have not changed for decades and are now considered overly generous and the layouts inefficient compared to the more modern, flexible and collaborative work environments common in the private sector.”

“With annual expenditure of approximately $8.9 million on rents paid to private sector landlords – savings can be had by more efficient use of space both within Government owned buildings and those rented from the private sector. Savings are not limited to rents as other operating costs including electricity and maintenance will also decrease as the space occupied is reduced.

“The existing office space standards provide for 250 – 300 square feet for a Minister, 200 – 250 square feet for a Permanent Secretary, 150 square feet for a Director and 100 square feet for staff. In addition to this, a further 15% is provided for circulation space. Conversely, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 2009 require a minimum of 43 sqft per employee.

“The revised space standards provide for 200 square feet for a Minister, 150 square feet for a Permanent Secretary, 100 square feet for a Director and 65 square feet for an Officer with no additional allowance for circulation space. The reductions range from 35% for general staff to 66% for Department Heads.

“The layout of Government offices be based on an open plan to make better use of space, improve collaboration and communication as well as provide a more flexible office environment.

“Only Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Directors are to be provided with a private office. Small conference rooms will also be provided for confidential discussions or meetings with staff.

“It is recognised that there are some Government services and operations that do not fit the new office format and have special requirements owing to the nature of those activities. These will be reviewed on a case by case basis and require the written approval of the Minister of Public Works before deviating from the approved space standards.

“It won’t come as a surprise to you that there has not been widespread acceptance of this new policy throughout the Civil Service – so to set the example – the lead entity in communicating this message – the Estates Department will lead by example and be one of the first departments to transition to an open floor plan that will see the Chief Surveyor and his management team occupy a desk on the office floor.

“I have also ordered a complete review of all private sector rental accommodation presently occupied, with a view to reducing those costs dramatically either by moves into government owned accommodation or alternative more economical private sector rentals.

“That review has started with some of the legacy private sector rentals and so far H. M. Customs departments presently located in 3 private sector locations at Hamilton Hall, Magnolia House and L. F. Wade International Airport will relocate to offices at 131 Front Street – and before I’m asked – it is owned by the Silver Wood Trust – in which MP Zane Desilva and his family are beneficiaries. It is likely that other Government departments will relocate there as well. The Estates Department have already looked at other available space in the building with a view to other potential moves there.

“The Bermuda Housing Corporation has entered into an agreement to purchase the IAS Park building at 44 Church Street – where its offices are currently housed for a price of $4.85 million. There are currently two private sector tenants occupying ½ a floor and they shall remain for the time being while the two upper floors, which are vacant, are being prepared to accommodate several government departments from predominantly private sector rentals.

“The purchase of the building at 44 Church Street – in close proximity to several Government buildings will also afford us the opportunity to strategically plan office moves with greater flexibility and approach our accommodation needs in a more structured manner. ”

“What these moves afford us are dual savings to the public purse by implementing the new space standards, moving into more economical accommodation and thus limiting increases in government expenditures and ultimately our taxes.”

The Minister’s full statement follows below:

Good morning, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, you will know from the Budget Debate for the Ministry of Public Works that Cabinet recently approved the introduction of revised space standards for Government offices in order to make more efficient use of space and reduce costs.

Mr. Speaker, as part of the Public Service Reform Initiative – Cabinet considered a number of issues in respect of asset management, one of which was the need to ensure that a consistent approach is adopted in the layout, design, finishes and furnishing of Government office accommodations. The goal is to provide effective Government Services in a sustainable, safe and healthy work environment that makes efficient use of space and affords greater value for money.

Mr. Speaker, the existing Government office space standards have not changed for decades and are now considered overly generous and the layouts inefficient compared to the more modern, flexible and collaborative work environments common in the private sector. With annual expenditure of approximately $8.9 million on rents paid to private sector landlords – savings can be had by more efficient use of space both within Government owned buildings and those rented from the private sector. Savings are not limited to rents as other operating costs including electricity and maintenance will also decrease as the space occupied is reduced.

Mr. Speaker, the existing office space standards provide for 250 – 300 square feet for a Minister, 200 – 250 square feet for a Permanent Secretary, 150 square feet for a Director and 100 square feet for staff. In addition to this, a further 15% is provided for circulation space. Conversely, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 2009 require a minimum of 43 sqft per employee. The revised space standards provide for 200 square feet for a Minister, 150 square feet for a Permanent Secretary, 100 square feet for a Director and 65 square feet for an Officer with no additional allowance for circulation space. The reductions range from 35% for general staff to 66% for Department Heads.

Mr. Speaker, it is further agreed that the layout of Government offices be based on an open plan to make better use of space, improve collaboration and communication as well as provide a more flexible office environment. The offices are to be furnished with “trader style” desks common in the private sector as opposed to the work stations of old that effectively created individual offices. Only Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Directors are to be provided with a private office. Small conference rooms will also be provided for confidential discussions or meetings with staff.

Mr. Speaker, it is recognised that there are some Government services and operations that do not fit the new office format and have special requirements owing to the nature of those activities. These will be reviewed on a case by case basis and require the written approval of the Minister of Public Works before deviating from the approved space standards.

Mr. Speaker, it won’t come as a surprise to you that there has not been widespread acceptance of this new policy throughout the Civil Service – so to set the example – the lead entity in communicating this message – the Estates Department will lead by example and be one of the first departments to transition to an open floor plan that will see the Chief Surveyor and his management team occupy a desk on the office floor.

Mr. Speaker, I have also ordered a complete review of all private sector rental accommodation presently occupied, with a view to reducing those costs dramatically either by moves into government owned accommodation or alternative more economical private sector rentals.

That review has started with some of the legacy private sector rentals and so far H. M. Customs departments presently located in 3 private sector locations at Hamilton Hall, Magnolia House and L. F. Wade International Airport will relocate to offices at 131 Front Street – and before I’m asked – it is owned by the Silver Wood Trust – in which MP Zane Desilva and his family are beneficiaries. It is likely that other Government departments will relocate there as well. The Estates Department have already looked at other available space in the building with a view to other potential moves there.

Mr. Speaker, I can report that the Collector of Customs and her leadership team are excited about the move and have already identified benefits to their operational efficiency by combining these 3 area under one roof.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I can report that the Bermuda Housing Corporation has entered into an agreement to purchase the IAS Park building at 44 Church Street – where its offices are currently housed for a price of $4.85 million. There are currently two private sector tenants occupying ½ a floor and they shall remain for the time being while the two upper floors, which are vacant, are being prepared to accommodate several government departments from predominantly private sector rentals.

The purchase of the building at 44 Church Street – in close proximity to several Government buildings will also afford us the opportunity to strategically plan office moves with greater flexibility and approach our accommodation needs in a more structured manner. Also housing those government offices that engage in frequent public contact in easily accessible store front spaces. Retro fitting utilities such as office lighting to automatically turn off when offices are not in use will provide additional cost savings.

Mr. Speaker, what these moves afford us are dual savings to the public purse by implementing the new space standards, moving into more economical accommodation and thus limiting increases in government expenditures and ultimately our taxes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Comments (16)

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  1. nerema says:

    So now they will spend $millions on reconfirguring offices.

  2. Joe Bloggs says:

    Who will get the contract to redo all the offices?

  3. Bully Beef says:

    While $1 million is spent on a derelict building in Sandys (360).

  4. somuchless says:

    Start with the MP cars and go from there.

  5. Guy Smiley says:

    So for the mail sorting facility that moved, we the people, the voters, were given an explanation on why the new facility was chosen – what other venues were considered, cost analysis, etc.

    Fast forward to this one and we simply give a PLP landlord some tenancy. No reasoning given other than consolidating office space. Do you know how much office is available?? Tell us what a great deal we got!!!!!

  6. wahoo says:

    Keep doing what you are doing and the rents are bound to come down.

  7. Purchase of IAS Park building for $4m+ where was that in the budget and why when a better building was just sold for $1.5M????? Wonder if they got a valuation on it before the agreement???

    • Time Shall Tell says:

      It’s much cheaper long term to own vs rent so the savings come in the form of owning the building & potewntially renting out the additional space as potential income. Having worked in both of the mentioned buildings in the past, I can tell you the one you’re referring to that was for sale for $1.5M (also on Church Street) does not have the internal infrastructure (data/IT potential, electrical headroom, plus it being older, less modern, not as well kept building, etc.) to that of the $4M+ building (44 Church Street). So there would be no real need for any major infrastructure (plumbing,electrical, IT, structural) upgrades (other than maybe office layout or potential asthetic upgrades dependant on want rather than need) to the 44 Church Street building or any associated moving/reloacting fee’s since the governemt department is already located there. 44 Church Street is also much closer to other existing government buildings & offices that are also located in that area.

    • Rocky5 says:

      Looks like Housing Corporation way OVERPAID for this building which I understand is in terrible condition. They’ll need to spend Millions to make it occupiable for Govt.. What a huge waste. In the meantime Zane is filling his empty building with the Govt workers – FRIENDS AND FAMILY PLAN ALIVE AND KICKING!!!

  8. Oh really says:

    Wow here we go again. Friends and family government will be renting Zane’s space or perhaps they will rent out the whole building. I could hear the nastiness now if it was mr Dunkleys building. The March or sit out on the cabinet lawn, the locking of arms and all of that would be going on. You people are so blatantly bias It stinks. This island stinks of racism and it’s not from the white community. Take a good look at yourselves and recognize your racism

  9. Realist says:

    Can’t stand the arrogance of this Minister. He’s rude and party affiliation self serving. And people complained about Bob Richards well Minister Burch is far worse. The PLP keep enriching Zane Desilva while their followers wait for crumbs.

  10. Rocky5 says:

    Looks like Housing Corporation way OVERPAID for this building which I understand is in terrible condition. They’ll need to spend Millions to make it occupiable for Govt.. What a huge waste. In the meantime Zane is filling his empty building with the Govt workers – FRIENDS AND FAMILY PLAN ALIVE AND KICKING!!!

  11. aceboy says:

    How many Civil Servants have been hired since the PLP came to power?

  12. facts of the rock says:

    the plp only know how to spend tax payers money on family and friends,they know nothing about cost cutting.

  13. Antlee says:

    I think these are largely good moves because it it is keeping with industry and economic standards and it will save some dollars – immediately in some instances and more belatedly in others. The questions I have have been raised here already and they pertain firstly to the cost and selection process of 131 Front Street and secondly to the cost and bidding process to carry out the reconfiguration and likely refurbishment (notably not mentioned) of the govt. Offices. Hopefully, these details are forthcoming.