Asked by: Baroness Valentine (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 9 May (HL15423), whether the Ministry of Defence has consulted Blackpool Council about the potential to locate jobs elsewhere on the Fylde Coast; and whether the decision to relocate the jobs from Norcross is in line with the guidance from the Government Property Unit.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The Department is in the process of finalising its preferred course of action, and no final decision has yet been made on the future location of Defence Business Services (DBS) sites in the north-west. As part of the approval process, and before a final decision is made, a full investment appraisal process will be conducted, incorporating full consultation with Local Authorities, including Blackpool Council, and other Government Departments such as the Government Property Agency.
Asked by: Baroness Valentine (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in determining the relocation of 370 Ministry of Defence jobs at Norcross, Blackpool, Blackpool Council has been consulted on the possibility of co-locating these jobs with other civil servants at the proposed civil service hub near Blackpool North station; and what assessment of value for money of that option has been made.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
In line with the Government Estates Strategy, Defence Business Services (DBS) are considering how to make the most efficient and cost-effective use of its property in the North West.
Civilian staff employed at the DBS Norcross site have been informed of the Department's planning assumption to vacate by 2023 and due process remains ongoing to ratify the preferred option for DBS's future presence in the North West. The Department is very much aware of the impact these changes may have on its staff and local communities, and officials will continue to carry out the necessary consultations with the Local Authorities and other Government Departments concerned, including the Trade Unions.