Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of City Development presenting a proposed Estate Management Strategy for the period 2021 – 2025, which is underpinned by the Council's three pillar strategies, with the aim of driving greater benefits for the city, its residents and its businesses.

The Director of City Development submitted a report presenting a proposed Estate Management Strategy for the period 2021 – 2025. The report presented the principles by which the Strategy was underpinned and how it looked to respond to the Council’s financial position and the evolving approaches taken towards ways of working and service delivery, with the aim of driving greater benefits for the city, its residents and its businesses.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board received assurance that sufficient provision was in place to enable those residents who did not use digital methods to interact with the Council and its services. In addition, detail was provided on the actions being taken to promote digital inclusion within the community.

The Chief Executive highlighted how the development of the Council’s workforce plan aligned closely with the Estate Management Strategy, and through the ongoing staff consultation which was taking place, the aim for the Council was to ensure that it continued to provide effective services for the people of Leeds, whilst also being able to adapt to new ways of working.

Responding to a Member’s comments, it was suggested that the Member in question liaise with officers within the Asset Management service in order to discuss any proposals they had regarding the review of assets within their own Ward, and also regarding any sites where there may be potential for commercial investment.

Also, responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board noted that there was no intention to introduce a moratorium upon the sale of assets, given the financial position of the Council and the important source of income played by the Council’s Capital Receipts programme.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the 2021-2025 Estate Management Strategy, as appended to the submitted report, be approved;

(b)  That it be noted that the Director of City Development intends to develop and maintain an Implementation Plan which will set out the specific asset changes for the coming years, from which maintenance and management plans can be established;

(c)  That it be noted that further reports will be presented to Executive Board in due course regarding specific estate rationalisation proposals, along with the annual Capital Receipt programme update, and any other estate changes which fall outside of approved delegations.