Decision details

To gain support for the rationalisation of the Council’s operational estate and to accelerate the disposal of properties, including the use of auctions as a disposal mechanism.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which sought support for the estate rationalisation and remodel approach, as detailed, in addition to the accelerated capital receipt programme through a series of targeted auction disposals. By way of background, the report also provided details around the Council’s home working approach, given that this underpinned the Council’s core office estate rationalisation.

In considering the submitted report, a Member highlighted the need to ensure that local Ward Members were kept informed and included in dialogue as part of any proposals relating to this programme which affected their respective Wards.

Also, a Member highlighted the importance of maintaining the city’s heritage assets.

Following consideration of Appendix 2 to the submitted report designated as being exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3), which was considered in private at the conclusion of the public part of the meeting, it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the approach proposed within the submitted report to rationalise and remodel the estate, be supported;

(b)  That the acceleration of the Capital Receipt Programme through a targeted number of disposals by auction and through one to one negotiations, be agreed, with agreement also being given for the first tranche of properties, as set out in exempt Appendix 2 to the submitted report, being taken to auction in October 2020; with it being noted that a further report detailing additional properties to be included in the Capital Receipt Programme will be brought back to Executive Board for consideration;

(c)  That the work ongoing to explore opportunities to extract additional value from the Council’s estate, as set out within exempt Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be noted;

(d)  That it be noted that the draft Estate Management Strategy will be brought to Executive Board at a later date;

(e)  That it be noted that the rationalising workstream is ongoing and that further reports will be presented throughout the course of the workstream;

(f)  That it be noted that the disposal of properties and bringing forward an updated Estate Management Strategy which reflects the Council’s future operational requirements is the responsibility of the Director for City Development;

(g)  That the engagement work undertaken so far with staff on both current and future working from home, which is being overseen by the Director for Resources and Housing, be noted.

Briefings

Executive Member for Resources

Cross Council Directors