The Executive Director (Corporate Resources) has submitted a report to seek authority to let the whole of St Aldate’s Chambers and enter in contracts and carry out associated works to vacate the building and consolidate staff office accommodation in the Town Hall.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.    Approve a reallocation from the capital programme to the Future Workplace programme of a budgeted £1million to support the works required to vacate St Aldate’s Chambers and relocate staff office accommodation to the Town Hall;

2.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Development, in consultation with the Head of Law and Governance, the Head of Financial Services / S151 Officer and the Deputy Leader (Statutory) - Finance & Asset Management to enter into appropriate contracts to implement required changes to St Aldate’s Chambers or the Town Hall;

3.    Recommend to Council the approval of a contingency budget of £300,000;

4.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Development, in consultation with the Head of Financial Services / S151 Officer, the Head of Law and Governance and the Deputy Leader (Statutory) - Finance & Asset Management to enter into lease(s) to let the whole of St Aldate’s Chambers in line with the strategy set out in the confidential Appendix 1 or on other terms which fulfil the requirements of S123 Local Government Act 1972;

5.    Approve the decision to relocate staff from St Aldate’s Chambers (subject to any changes to terms and conditions of employment required).

The Executive Director (Corporate Resources) had submitted a report to seek authority to let the whole of St Aldate’s Chambers and enter into contracts and carry out associated works to vacate the building and consolidate staff office accommodation in the Town Hall.

Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen-Focused Services, explained that the original intention had been to let out two floors of St Aldate’s Chambers.  However marketing of the building, which had begun earlier in the year, had demonstrated that demand was largely for more, or less, than two floors.  An offer had recently been received for the lease of the whole building and approval was therefore now sought to let the whole of St Aldate’s Chamber, with council staff to be re-located within the Town Hall.  Consolidation at the Town Hall would offer a number of benefits including savings on energy usage and carbon reduction, improved use of space, and the opportunity for staff to work in a historic and familiar local building.  Consultation had begun with the trade unions, which were supportive, and staff.  Leasing of St Aldate’s Chambers would also provide a significant improvement to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

It was noted that a further feasibility study was planned to look at longer term options for the Town Hall in order to create additional space for a variety of potential uses, as well as a review of the ongoing management and maintenance of the building.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Approvea reallocation from the capital programme to the Future Workplace programme of a budgeted £1million to support the works required to vacate St Aldate’s Chambers and relocate staff office accommodation to the Town Hall;

2.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Development, in consultation with the Head of Law and Governance, the Head of Financial Services / S151 Officer and the Deputy Leader (Statutory) - Finance & Asset Management to enter into appropriate contracts to implement required changes to St Aldate’s Chambers or the Town Hall;

3.    Recommend to Council the approval of a contingency budget of £300,000;

4.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development), in consultation with the Head of Financial Services / S151 Officer, the Head of Law and Governance and the Deputy Leader (Statutory) - Finance & Asset Management to enter into lease(s) to let the whole of St Aldate’s Chambers in line with the strategy set out in the confidential Appendix 1 or on other terms which fulfil the requirements of S123 Local Government Act 1972; and

5.    Approve the decision to relocate staff from St Aldate’s Chambers (subject to any changes to terms and conditions of employment required).