The York Council has ordered 2405 brand new seats and seating units for its new HQ.

Around 1000 staff will be accommodated at the new Toft Green building when it opens next March.

A Freedom of information request has revealed that the Council will spend £2.4 million on furnishings and services of which £917,000 will go on new computers and information technology.

Items already ordered, and being supplied by “Flexiform”, include:

• 2405 seating units
• 1096 desks
• 381 tables
• 551 monitors

Of the seating units, 1186 are “operator chairs”, 148 “ visitor chairs”, 98 café chairs, 678 are described as meeting chairs, 197 as “armchairs” while the rest are made up of modular soft seating & “high stools”.

19 “poser” tables are planned together with 63 coffee tables.

Concerns had been raised earlier in the year about a lack of transparency over decisions on the office move. While the expectation had been that – to make best use of modern open plan office working methods – some new furniture would be required, no Council Cabinet member has publicly authorised the specifications issued to contractors, nor has any scrutiny committee reviewed the plans.

There was an expectation when the project business case was signed off in 2008 that, where possible, existing items of equipment, fixtures and fittings would be reused.

This more cautious approach now seems to have been abandoned.

The Council has not yet tendered for the supply of “white goods”, internal signage or audio visual equipment.

The revelation comes 3 months after the Council Leader refused to answer questions about the management of the move to the new accommodation.

At the Council meeting held on 12th July the Council Leader was asked:

“Would the Council Leader please indicate how – and by whom – the specification for the fittings, fixtures and furnishings required at the new Council HQ is being drawn up and, what is the agreed budget is for each service/activity area? Would he explain how he intends to monitor the prudent use of the budgets that have been provided for this part of the HQ project and how he intends to update Council members and residents on the progress being made?”

The Council Leader responded that it did not fall within his area of responsibility.

Venues across York are preparing to welcome filmgoers from 8 – 11 November when the Aesthetica Short Film Festival takes place as part of the York 800 celebrations.

The festival, supported by City of York Council to celebrate excellence and public involvement in this, the 800th year of self government, will take place in 15 locations which range from Mansion House and the Guildhall to bustling boutique cinemas in bars and shops across the city. The inspiring settings are set to delight visitors who attend this event.

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Sunday 28 October will see the final chapter of City of York Council’s first Children’s Book Awards, when the overall winners will be announced in the company of two leading authors at a Grand Ceremony at York Explore Library Learning Centre.

The awards were launched in March when children under the age of 14 were invited to nominate their favourite story and picture books of all time. Following the nominations, a short list of five in each category was announced, and children had until 16 September to vote for their favourite.

The short-list was:

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