The Deputy Leader (Statutory) – Finance and Asset Management resolved on 9 March 2022 to:

1.         Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, the Head of Law and Governance, and the Head of Financial Services, to enter into all appropriate contracts to implement the recommended changes to St Aldate’s Chambers and associated works to the Town Hall; and

2.         Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development) in consultation with the Head of Financial Services, the Head of Law and Governance and the Cabinet member for Finance & Asset Management to enter into lease(s) agreement(s) for the letting of two floors within St Aldate’s Chambers.

The Deputy Leader (Statutory) – Finance and Asset Management resolved on 9 March 2022 to:

1)        To approve the drawdown of the first phase of £858k from the £1m within the capital programme;

2)        To delegate to the Director of Development in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management and the Head of Law and Governance, and Head of Financial Services, the authority to enter into all appropriate contracts to implement the recommended changes to St Aldate’s Chambers and associated works to the Town Hall;

3)        To delegate authority to the Director of Development, in consultation with the Council’s Section 151 Officer, the Head of Law and Governance and Cabinet member for Finance & Asset Management to enter into lease(s) agreement(s) for the letting of two floors within St Aldate’s Chambers.

Renting two floors of St Aldate’s Chambers will a) bring in income into the Council to support the delivery of services, b) reduce costs associated with operating two floors of SAC and c) ensure the maximum use of the office footprint at SAC and therefore maximise footfall in the city centre to support local businesses.

The option to not undertake the works was rejected as it would not allow delivery of the objectives to bring in additional income to the Council, reduce operating costs, and ensure maximum use of the office footprint at St Aldate’s Chambers.

Decision taken by Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader (Statutory) – Finance and Asset Management.