16th July

I am now over a month late in doing this blog but I intend to catch up with it on a day by day basis. So if you're still reading and interested then stick wih it. It has been a busy month with some interesting challenges. I'm writing this on 27th August so have quite to catch up. I'll try and do at least two every day!

Today we start refurbishing the Reprographics area. We have to check for Asbestos as we have found some in the building and we can't send any workers in unless we have checked any further areas. Bit of a drag but it can't be helped. The first day is given over to the asbestos team to check the area.

Essex County Council have requested that we soundproof the meeting rooms they are renting from us. I'm quite annoyed about this as we have refurbished the area and now have to make major changes to it. I have managed to persuade them to pay half of the costs. It's not cheap to do the work.

We have a new site manager and John is supposed to be project managing this piece of work with me as his mentor/coach. I'm not sure how well this will work out as he is covering annual leave for his Duty Officers and will have to work shifts! Doesn't leave much opportunity for project managing a piece of work like this. The new site manager is quite different to Steve but he is keen to do a good job and to get on the right side of the council. We have a look at the soundproofing work that needs to be done with sub-contractors who're doing the actual work. Basically we need to clad the thin partitions, put sound proof panels in the ceiling and rubber door seals. Not major but the electrics have to be moved, the carpets can't be disturbed and the rooms have air condirioning and ventilation panels in the ceiling space!

Essex County Council started moving their people in and the scond floor is hectic. This is the first time the space has been occupied since the refurbishment so I'm expecting to find some problems!