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July 20, 2006
Somerset
As if to underscore the point I have been trying to make about inability to manage capital spending on libraries, there is an article this morning in the Western Mercury, the Somerset local paper about how a library which was planned at £350,000 has cost 70% more than it should have done.
At least the council seem genuinely concerned.
Posted by Tim Coates at July 20, 2006 8:13 AM
Comments
Ah but builders are naughty.. they nder-estimate to get the job, and councils demand 3 estimates for everything built and take the cheapest. Once the builder has the job then guess what, costs have, er, unexpectedly risen. But councils fall for it every, every time.
Posted by: SUSAN HILL at July 20, 2006 8:44 AM
Susan
What seems to have happened is that the council officers knew that the building would need a mezzanine floor to make the job worthwhile, they had it costed and they knew the cost. However, in order to get council approval of the project the ommitted the cost of the mezzanine from the proposal put to the councillors.
It is called "Don't tell councillors what you are doing" which is a very good game that council officers play.
Posted by: Tim at July 20, 2006 8:54 AM