Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted
The Department has allowed the Weybridge site to deteriorate to a completely unacceptable degree, through...
Recommendation
The Department has allowed the Weybridge site to deteriorate to a completely unacceptable degree, through a combination of inadequate management and under investment. The Department has not managed the Weybridge site as an important national asset. It has not had a long-term strategic plan for the site and has under invested in its infrastructure. The Department managed the Weybridge site simply as a property asset, not recognising the importance of the science undertaken at the site. For example, the Department consolidated its facilities management contracts in 2009 to cover a large part of its estate including Weybridge, but the contract was not suited to the specific requirements of a high containment science site such as Weybridge. Historically, the Department has not invested enough staff resources in managing the site and to understand the site’s requirements. Despite recognising the deteriorating condition of the Weybridge site in 2015, the Department has taken a considerable time to get a redevelopment programme up and running. Recommendation: The Department and HM Treasury must learn lessons from Weybridge and ensure that the situation is not repeated with the Department’s other key infrastructure or more widely across the UK’s important national infrastructure. The Department’s Treasury Minute response must include details of how it is implementing an asset management strategy for the Weybridge site and how it is implementing lessons learned in developing its new facilities management contract. 6 Redevelopment of Defra’s animal health infrastructure
Government Response Summary
The government agreed and stated that Asset Management lessons learnt have been included in the procurement for the new Workplace and Facilities Management contract, and that the Weybridge site will have a dedicated Technical Services team with an increase of around 50% in technical management.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Strategy, (including Development Control Plan), are on target to be fully adopted by Quarter 4 of 2022-23. Asset Management lessons learnt have been included in the procurement for the new Workplace and Facilities Management contract and these are set out below. The planned Target Operating Model (TOM) post contract commencement will deliver an operational asset strategy from a bespoke blend of industry standard maintenance standards. The Service and Facilities Group 20 (SFG20) - the industry definitive standard for building maintenance specifications) and the Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) - an industry standard set by the NHS, will drive asset maintenance. This regime will provide the asset data and condition information, used in conjunction with the campus building strategy, to create the forward maintenance register and subsequent replacement plans. The procurement has focussed on evaluating bidders against their capability and capacity, through science specific evaluation to deliver services to the Weybridge estate. To drive a strong technical response, bidders are being assessed on a 70:30 Quality: Cost ratio. All bidders have had a site tour and briefing from APHA Directors and the department’s Chief Engineer about site requirements. To be successful each bidder must demonstrate capability to deliver to the standards required. The future service provider’s sub-contracting model is being tested in evaluation to ensure a balance of technical specialism and resilience. Once contracted the service provider will have full access to incumbent sub-contractors to enable knowledge retention. A key area of focus is the increase in capacity and capability of the Facilities Management team. Weybridge will have a dedicated Technical Services team with an increase of around 50% in technical management.