Issue - meetings

A report from the Executive Director Place is attached. (Key decision – reference number 5280)

(This item contains exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person – including the authority holding that information) of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended).

Councillor Mary Maguire (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) introduced the report of the Executive Director Place.

NOTED

1.            That the report provided an update on the positive progress of the Build the Change programme in relation to the Housing Hub and Children and Family Services Hub.

2.            The proposals for the next phase of the Programme, as set out in detail in the report.

3.            That Cabinet were reminded of the purpose of the Build the Change Programme and its aims and objectives as set out in detail in paragraphs 18 to 24 of the report. The programme would create a modern Council with fewer but better equipped buildings designed to meet the needs of services and its residents.

4.            The detailed information provided regarding the development of the Edmonton Green Housing Hub; Thomas Hardy House Children and Family Services Hub; and the Civic Centre Business Hub.

5.            The proposals in relation to the future of the Claverings industrial estate which was no longer fit for purpose. Buildings on the estate would not achieve the necessary energy efficiency standards required by law in 2023. The Council currently occupied 39% of the estate with the remainder leased to businesses and other organisations, as detailed in the report. It was recommended that the Council staff currently based at Claverings would be relocated to the Civic Centre as part of the Build the Change Programme.

6.            That options for the future of the Claverings estate, as set out in the report, would be considered alongside the ongoing disposals strategy and presented to a future Cabinet meeting for consideration and decision in due course

7.            That in line with the Council’s new Culture Strategy, the Civic Centre would also form part of the Borough’s cultural infrastructure, including the relocation of the Local Studies and Archive to the ground floor.

8.            The recommendation for the development of a Mental Health Wellbeing Hub (paragraphs 40 to 45 of the report referred). A detailed business case, including the location of the new hub, would be developed and brought forward for a decision in due course.

9.            That the funding approvals sought in the proposals of the report were in accordance with the Council’s approved Capital 10-year programme.

10.         The in-principle decisions sought at this stage. Further reports would be presented to Cabinet in due course on the business case for the potential disposal of the Claverings estate and, the development of a Mental Health Wellbeing Hub.

11.         In response to questions raised, Fay Hammond, Executive Director Resources, set out the detailed financial implications for the three potential options for the future of the Claverings Estate as outlined in the report. There was a strong business case for the proposed way forward. The revenue and capital implications of the Build the Change Programme had been incorporated with the Council’s budget setting processes. A further detailed report would be presented to a future Cabinet meeting.

12.         Members supported the proposals and highlighted the value of bringing services together  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8