Agenda item

Report of Councillor Cartman

Councillor Cartman presented the report.  He summarised the report and the recommendations, stressing that these three corporate strategies were independent yet inextricably linked, and were fundamental to the council’s transformation programme and to the delivery of excellent services.  He referred to the proposals outlined in section 3 of the report and the conclusion that the Town Hall should be retained as the primary office and cultural heart of the council but stressed that decisions on the future of sites listed within Group 2A as set out in paragraph 3.17 of the report would be subject to feasibility and business cases.  He also made reference to the sites listed in Group 2B and 3 as set out in the exempt appendix, which had yet to be formally allocated but which presented longer term opportunities.

In considering the accommodation strategy, members discussed the many issues around working from home and urged caution in progressing too quickly with any move from Castlewood.  It was suggested that once lockdown restrictions had ended and there was a return to some form of normality the position may be different and staff views on working models may have changed.  Reference was made to the many benefits of Castlewood and of having council offices based in the north of the district and members stressed the need for careful consideration of the impact of any sale before making any decision.  Members noted there had been full scrutiny engagement on the strategies and it was suggested the proposals offered a flexible approach in addressing service plans and new ways of working resulting from the challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic.  Reference was also made to the environmental and climate change benefits of working from home or from local touch down locations, and the importance of finding the right balance to best suit the needs of the organisation and to support the health and wellbeing of staff.

Councillor Cartman assured members that any future decisions on sites would be evidence based and subject to a rigorous feasibility process as detailed in the report, and he encouraged members to attend and get involved in any consultation and scrutiny sessions.

In response to queries raised during the debate on which sites listed within the exempt appendix were in fact exempt, the Assistant Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer provided clarification.  He advised that the sites listed within Group 2B and 3 were exempt for reasons of commercial sensitivity and would remain so beyond this meeting.

On the Motion of Councillor Cartman, duly seconded it was

Resolved:

(1) that the following corporate strategies be adopted:

(a) Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP)

(b)  Accommodation Strategy (AS)

(c)  Development Strategy (DS);

(2)  that the feasibility and business cases proceed in relation to the recommendations arising from these strategies, as outlined in section 3 of the report. This work will inform future decision making, to be brought to Executive and full Council as required by the constitution;

(3)  that it be noted that financial allocations have been made through the medium term financial plan (MTFP) and capital programme to progress these strategies, as shown in table 1.1 of the report, subject to approval to spend these funds in accordance with the capital programme approvals process; and

(4)  that the outline timeframes in section 12 of the report and the high-level activities be noted, to inform future decision making.

                                                  ________________________________

                                                                      Chairman

                                                  ________________________________