International House Public Consultation

This consultation is now complete, thank you to all 131 people who responded with your thoughts on our move to International House. 94% of responses were submitted online through the council’s website and 6% were paper copies submitted at the Civic Centre by visitors. Sentiment analysis of comments indicated that 30% were broadly positive about the move, 30% were broadly negative and 40% were neutral or would like additional information.

The most common services for which respondents visited the Civic Centre were general information and council meetings. 48% of respondents visited for general information about council services. Waste collection and benefits advice services were the least frequently quoted reasons for visitation.

15% of respondents indicated that they used a disabled parking bay when visiting and 30% reported problems with mobility. 70% of respondents used a car when travelling to the Civic Centre and 10% of respondents indicated that they might travel differently if visiting International House.

These results were shared as part of a report to full council on October 19th 2023.

You Asked, We Said

- “How will you use the old Civic Centre?”

Future uses of the Civic Centre will be consider and options put forward to the Council.  Currently options being considered include housing on the site through a direct development by the Council, or through selling the Civic Centre as it is.

- “Will all services available at the Civic Centre also be available at International House"

Yes, all public services we currently offer at the Civic Centre will be available at International House.

- “How much is the estimated saving the council would gain with the move?

Currently we are looking at annual savings in the region of £1.35m. This is a combination of revenue spend on the maintaining and managing the Civic Centre and future capital works that will be required over the next few years.

- “How will you demonstrate and publish the actual savings?”

These will be reviewed quarterly by Cabinet as part of the revenue budget monitoring.

- “Are you also planning to move civic functions such as cabinet meetings over to International House?”

The current proposal is to transfer the whole of the Civic Centre to International House over 3 phases. The first phase of this move will only involve the council’s office functions. A working group will be formed to review the Civic Suite requirements which will include Member representation, Member Services and project officers. The focus will be on the best use of space to ensure the spaces are flexible and all hybrid compatible.

- “How will you make space for officers who need to be in the office more than twice a week?”

In planning this move we have used data about staff desk usage to ensure there is enough space for all services to operate. 

- “Will this affect the attached leisure centre?”

No, this move will not affect the leisure centre.

- “How will you ensure there is adequate disabled parking, access and facilities?”

There is disabled parking at International House and council will ensure there is enough for its needs and the needs of visitors. This could include adding additional spaces if required. There is level access to International House and the location is more easily accessible by bus and train. Disabled facilities will be available in the visitor lobby.

- “Will staff be available to talk to face-to-face at international house?”

Yes – we will be providing front of house services as we do currently in the Civic Centre.

- “Have you considered moving public-facing services to a location in town, such as the old cinema?”

Currently the old cinema is not in a condition to be used. The cinema and other possible locations could be reviewed in the future.

- “How will Simone Weil's gardening hat and its accompanying display be preserved?”

We are exploring options for preserving items of historical importance such as Simone Weil’s gardening hat, which is currently displayed in the Civic Centre. This may involve moving items to Ashford Museum who we are currently in discussions with.

- “What will happen to the Emergency War Time HQ in the basement of the Civic Centre?”

We envision that any sale of the Civic Centre is likely to encompass the entire building including the basement.

- “Has International House been assessed for reinforced autoclaved aerated concreate (RAAC)?”

We are not currently aware of any council-owned buildings containing reinforced autoclaved aerated concreate (RAAC).  We are investigating further and any additional updates will be provided in due course.