New RNLI Complex - how much did this cost??

[alant]

I wonder how many bequests & endowments it cost to build this prestige building. Must be the most expensive size for size on the South Coast.
Surely coming around with begging bowls after having spent monstrous amounts (surely not needed for a simple admin/training facility) is questionable, when the funds could be better spent on their core activities.
Is it someones memorial hall/mausoleum perhaps.

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[waterbuffalo]

The building does look a bit OTT. How did they plannig permission?Or can Sunseeker and RNLI do what they want in Poole.

Are our donations been spent on 'profit making' hotels or life-saving equipment such as boats etc?

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[johna]

About £25 million capital plus lots of expensive staff to operate and maintain it. I believe the cost of the model made before construction would have funded an inshore lifeboat. I understand that the accommodation is equivalent to a 5 star hotel and it is said that the business plan is to train overseas organisations. I agree that the RNLI should be professional but do not need to be corporate. I have withdrawn all support other than basic Govenor subscription over the past 3-4 years because I disagreed with this development.

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[powerskipper]

A point ,
As the RLNI is one of the best; if not the best service of its kind in the world, If it can train others to its standards and save lives over seas, AND help fund its operations in this country, I can not see it being a bad thing.
Would you not like the peace of mind of knowing that any where in the world you could expect the same level of life saving help as we have grown accustomed to here. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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Julie

 

[Joe_Cole]

Julie,

Well said!

Joe

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[Sunnyseeker]

Its a sound commercial decision, that will surely bring in extra income in training revenue.
The RNLI is constantly developing, the ever increasing cost of new technolgy has to be funded, if they can make this pay, which I believe they can then its money well invested.
They have valuable experience and knowledge and should use that to support the operations.
If the service starts to deteriorate then start asking questions maybe...otherwise stop winging...

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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

If this new complex is to be used for crew training, is it not also desirable to make people who are giving up more of their own time as comfortable as possible.

Should they, after spending a day getting cold and wet during survival training be expected to go back to dormitory type rooms with poor facilities. If someone is willing to give up their time and be away from their families, they should be made as comfortable as possible.

Otherwise, crews will do everything they can to get out of what could be potentially life saving training.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

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[Joe_Cole]

Out of curiosity I've just looked it up on their website. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.lifeboatcollege.org.uk/>http://www.lifeboatcollege.org.uk/</A> The building is a training centre and as far as I can see those guys deserve the very best support that can be given to them. There's no point in sending them out in boats in appalling conditions if they can't have the best training possible; surely that means they need good facilities also?

Money well spent in my opinion, and if they have a bit of five star comfort then good; it makes up for the discomfort they put up with when they are out on a shout.


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[mirabriani]

Whilst I agree with Powerskipper, Joe cole et al I believe they need to be careful not to alienate the people who support them.
My small experience of a local inshore station was that head office would not supply a nightsight and they were reduced to direct local donations to fund one.
Furthermore head office paid a hire company to station an earth mover to keep the ramp clear of shingle for several years. This would have paid for the ramp to be raised many times over. These actions caused much local resentment from the very people they depend on for support and funds.
Briani


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[mirabriani]

Whilst I agree with Powerskipper, Joe cole et al ,I believe they need to be careful not to alienate the people who support them.
My small experience of a local inshore station was that head office would not supply a nightsight and they were reduced to direct local donations to fund one.
Furthermore head office paid a hire company to station an earth mover to keep the ramp clear of shingle for several years. This would have paid for the ramp to be raised many times over. These actions caused much local resentment from the very people they depend on for support and funds.
Briani


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[mirabriani]

Whilst I agree with Powerskipper, Joe cole et al, I believe they need to be careful not to alienate the people who support them.
My small experience of a local inshore station was that head office would not supply a nightsight and they were reduced to direct local donations to fund one.
Furthermore head office paid a hire company to station an earth mover to keep the ramp clear of shingle for several years. This would have paid for the ramp to be raised many times over. These actions caused much local resentment from the very people they depend on for support and funds.
Briani


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[TrueBlue]

Looks to me that the RNLI have built it with an eye to letting the facilities out for conferences and the like, thereby making a contribution towards the Institution??

See the last paragraph on the website.

But then that deflates the rant......

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Stop what you're doing and wait my signal

 

[alant]

I don't disagree that the RNLI is very good, but do they really need this lavish a building? Or preferably well designed comfortable & efficient one. Something which is an architecturally 'over the top' in complexity of build & costs (a top archtects comments,not mine) does not represent what contributors to a charity think their money is being provided for.
This building would not be out of place in Dubai, but does not seem right for it's intended purpose at Poole.
The RNLI is about saving lives at sea, not in the Temple building business! STOP being emotional. This money should be be used for SOLAS not RIBA.

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[powerskipper]

another point!!!
"STOP being emotional."
If the crews of the life boats did not feel some emotion to save peoples lives, sometimes putting there own at rick. do you think, they would be doing it!, As its not for money; is it!?????!!!!!!!!!

The life boat collage building is not an eye sore and will last many years, a cheaper one may need more modernising as technology progresses, This will encourage people to use the building, therefore generating income!!!

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Julie

 

[starboard]

Having given 15 years of my life to the RNLI I feel sorry now for the old lady in the street shaking the can...I have seen hard earned monies squandered....the failed Mountbatten class of lifeboat a prime example and much more. Now the fleet has been brought up to standard, attention is being turned to shore facilities...a boathouse and comfortable crew facilities well needed and about time but some of these latest build's as with Poole's training establishment a little OTT is it not about time this money was more wisely invested...after all the leagacies the institution rely on will not last for ever I am sure!!!

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[alant]

You are still missing the point. No-one is suggesting that those at the sharp end are not fully involved in all senses.
"If the crews of the life boats did not feel some emotion to save peoples lives, sometimes putting there own at rick. do you think, they would be doing it!, As its not for money; is it!?????!!!!!!!!!" - However, what allows these guys to do the great job they have volunteered for is money!! Without these bequests (see Starboards comments) there would be no equipment etc. for them to do so.

"The life boat collage building is not an eye sore and will last many years, a cheaper one may need more modernising as technology progresses" - Who mentioned eyesore! What has lower cost got to do with lower standards?

"need more modernising as technology progresses" - much easier to change what is inside a box (just change the internal walls, like any other modern office structure does to adapt to changes in technology), but difficult to update something as extreme as this building, it would probably need a complete rebuild.

" This will encourage people to use the building, therefore generating income!!!" - Why would people need to be encouraged to use a building supposedly used by Admin + training? It's what goes on inside the building that is important, not its cosmetic appearance. Does a buildings appearance really mean better standards of training?

"Have a read here" - The RNLI mandate is not hospitality. It is to give the best support to the sharp end guys for their real purpose. Yes, make them comfortable when at Poole training, even very comfortable. But these facilities could have been housed inside a much lower cost (not lower quality) building.
Perhaps we could get the views of any architects out there on how much a conventional building of similar internal floor area + similar facilities would cost, as a comparison.

Also hear from someone at the sharp end on their views regarding this expenditure.





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[Born_Free]

Yep, I reduced my subs as well. Whilst I agree that they need good training facilities, I think they should keep out of the five star hotel business and concentrate on what they do best, and they are certainly one of the best rescue services around. To ease my conscience I made a donation for more than the difference to the Caister Independent Lifeboat, they don't waste their donations on frivolities.
Martin

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Now I'm expensive

 

[ribrunt]

OK - here's a view from the very sharp end. I'm an Atlantic 75 helm, and am going to attend the opening of the college later in the year. I was also involved in the setup of my station, so saw more of the "internal workings" than many might have.

1. The college will actually generate savings of £1m annually due to centralisation of the training between Poole, IOW and other facilities. AFAIK total cost is c.£17m.

2. It frees up badly needed space at ILC for yard facilities to support the growing ILB fleet.

3. The RNLI is NOT in the hotel business. All crews need to stay somewhere when attending training. They were paying local hotels, etc. anyway. If there is spare capacity, it will be sold to offset running costs. The alternative is to size the college for 100% capacity now and be faced with extending in 5 years time? (or whenever)

4. The RNLI learned the hard way about building cheap, functional buildings. Look at the stations built late 70s - more like warehouses and now virtually all replaced due to high maintenance costs, etc. It is worth mentioning that there has been many facilities which won awards for design - presumably confirming that the building has added further to the local community.

5. Mountbatten class lifeboat - now that was a long time ago and many lessons have been learnt since. But should the RNLI stop innovating? One price of innovation is occasional failure. Innovation is now more carefully managed with industry partners. Gecko helmet or Crewsaver 275N lifejacket, anyone?

6. Nightsights & other equipment - the RNLI must standardise. It could not have each station putting its own kit on boats - purchasing power, SOPs for use, Health & Safety (yes - applies in full as if we were employees!) Just what any company with 6,000 employees in 250 branches would do. For info - night sights are now standard issue kit.

7. Waste exists in all organisations, from the smallest to Wal-mart. But the bigger organisations can leverage massive savings which overcome these - but such savings are not always apparent. There is both a volume discount (obviously) but also a "credential" discount - the value placed on RNLI endorsement by product suppliers.

8. It is argued, quite often and sensibly IMHO, that such shoreworks are an investment of funding. It is easier to run an appeal for a specific project such as the College, and ring fence the proceeds. I would suspect the College will have an overall lifespan of 25-30 years (structural). The alternative is to "invest" in financial products.....

9. The RNLI's greatest asset is its crews. This college (and other training initiatives) represent an investment in people at the end of the day.

10. I do understand how many might be offended/upset at some aspects of the RNLI's operations. However, be assured that a sharp focus on cost and long-term value for money is paramount. Last years budget was presented to the trustees, then sent back to management with a large chunk missing saying "go find the savings". They have, and continue to do so. That said - I'm sure there's always room for improvement.

For the avoidance of doubt, my reply reflects my personal opinion /viewpoint and not that of the RNLI! I hope my post helps the discussion.

Regards

ribrunt.

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[petery]

I think your post says it all.

I think we are all proud of having an organisation such as the RNLI in the UK.

We must look at the overall picture and not try to micro-manage a large and complex organisation that seems to get things right most of the time

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[powerskipper]

Thank you for that reply,

AND THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO.



May luck stay with you always.
Julie

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Julie