64 Caerau Road gets a facelift
For the past year or so, we have been looking at the future of the Diocesan Office at 64 Caerau Road in Newport. The building is now very much in need of updating and the question whether to move or upgrade has been looked at in depth by a sub-committee of the Diocesan Board of Finance.
A range of alternatives, including moving out of Newport, was looked at and this resulted in two possible options – join forces with the Bishop’s Office at Bishopstow, or stay put and invest in the present building. The cost of extending Bishopstow’s offices and the restrictions on parking there made the final choice easy and the decision was taken to modernise and upgrade 64 Caerau Road.
A very significant part of the work will ensure that we are compliant with current health and safety and fire legislation, not currently the case, and this will account for around £96k of the total spend of £183k. The Diocesan Secretary’s office and a new reception area will be located on the ground floor and the main meeting room towards the rear of the building will be substantially modernised and improved. Much-needed office space for both archdeacons will be provided on the first floor.
Working conditions had become dated as little money has been spent on the building since it was acquired over twenty years ago and, in ensuring that there will be no unnecessary expense, the new look Diocesan House will not only acquire greater value but will also be fit for purpose in every way for some time to come.
You would be right to ask where the money will come from and we are fortunate in having built up sufficient reserves – in cash – to pay for this without having to add anything to Parish Share, either now or in the future.
Work is due to start at the beginning of August and will continue until Advent and apologies in advance if we are unable to offer our very best service during this time.
Visitors would be well-advised to give us a call before dropping in as parts of the building will inevitably become a ‘hard hat’ area and for your safety we may have to restrict access.
Richard Tarran, Diocesan Secretary