Aberdeenshire Council is in the process of implementing an Office Space Strategy project designed to optimise office space and develop office space fit for the future.
As part of this strategy the council will be letting a major contract focusing on its three largest offices. This contract will cover the refurbishment of its Westburn road facility, moving its Inverurie offices to the Town Hall in Inverurie which will also include a new extension, and the construction of a new office in Ellon.
As part of its Environmental and Climate Change Policy and Resources and Circular Economy Commitment the council is looking to ensure the developments are as energy efficient as possible and built in line with circular economy principles.
In partnership with Circular North-east a number of workshops have been held with the supply chain including framework contractors and furniture and interior suppliers. The aim of these workshops has been to articulate the council’s aspirations to the market place and explore what might be possible to deliver the development in line with circular economy principles. Aberdeenshire Council is now receiving support from Zero Waste Scotland to develop the procurement framework to reflect this ambition with the main tender due to be issued in the Spring of 2020.
This project is demonstrating how the procurement process can be used to stimulate thinking around the circular economy and encourage the supply chain to think innovatively about how this could be delivered. Progress throughout the project will be monitored and the findings shared on completion of the project.