Union Unite has described the Construction Industry Training Board's (CITB) proposed move from its Bircham Newton headquarters in Norfolk to an unspecified site in Peterborough as "severely flawed".

The union, which represents CITB Staff, has compiled a 32-page document in response to the proposed move, which is being carried out as part of a major reformation plan by the organisation.

Unite states the document reveals the move was, in the document's view, not the best option using the CITB's own criteria, criteria with other towns and cities coming out more favourably.

Four main criticisms of the Board's proposals include;

• Challenges the validity, robustness and fairness of the data used

• Registers a vote of no confidence in the data and estate design principles

• Records a vote of no confidence in the process

• Refutes that there has been a fair and meaningful consultation, with Peterborough being a fait accompli

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In addition to the planned moved, the CITB is also planning to outsource construction training to a private provider, with overall staff counts tp be cut from 1,370 to 484 by 2020.

Unite regional co-ordinating officer, Mark Robinson said: "The CITB's plans to move from its headquarters in Bircham Newton to Peterborough have been eviscerated.

"The process has been exposed as so flawed that it is not even appropriate to make an alternative proposal. If the CITB's board wishes to maintain an iota of credibility it must restart the process of evaluating and consulting on the options for moving the head office.

"We urge the board to look at this document. Staff and management representatives have already expressed concerns about the lack of constructive and meaningful consultation regarding the head office move and fear a similar fate, if and when, the divestment of the national construction college services commences later in the year.

"It is not too late for the board to think again before it seriously damages, not only the lives of hundreds of dedicated CITB employees, but also the training so desperately required in the construction industry. The CITB needs to urgently go back and consult the industry it is supposed to represent."

A spokesperson for the management representatives' staff association said: "This report should have given the executive food for thought and it is hoped this report will give the CITB the opportunity to establish a truly robust process which allows industry and employees to play a constructive part in shaping an onward thinking, flexible and innovative platform for the CITB's future."

(LM)