Decision details

Office Rationalisation

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: For Determination

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Decisions:

A report by the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management sought decisions to guide further rationalisation of the Council’s administrative accommodation. It reviewed progress made to date and required confirmation of the strategy that had been developed over the past three years as a basis for further decisions on the retention or vacation and disposal of individual buildings.

 

The report drew upon lessons learned from work to date and considered the likely context within which further rationalisation would be required.  It also reviewed the current stock of `core’ administrative accommodation, made recommendations to vacate specific buildings and sought a decision on options for the further vacation of core administrative buildings.

 

The Cabinet received a copy of Minute No. 83 of the Council Excellence Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of 31 January 2012 that had considered a report of the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management.  The Committee had requested that its comments on this matter be referred to the Cabinet.

 

Consequently, it was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had commented as follows:

 

‘That progress had been slow in the development of the Strategy and options appeared to be limited for target reductions in overall space occupancy to be met.  Members supported the retention of Birkenhead Town Hall and expressed the view that a plan should have been in place to allow for changes to be made to Planning Policy to allow for the disposal of sites at the Bebington complex to be used for residential development.  Members considered the proposals for the Conway and Hamilton Buildings and how to make best use of the available space.  The Committee also re-affirmed its view, previously expressed (minute 32 (24 August 2010) refers) that the refurbishment and intensification in the use of the North and South Annexes at Wallasey, was the preferred option (Option 3 in Appendix E of the Cabinet Report).

 

However, a Member expressed an opinion that, at this stage, the Committee should not indicate a preferred option and commented that Option 3 was not ambitious enough, as it would remove only 2,645 sq.m. of floor space.’

 

The Overview and Scrutiny went on to resolve:

 

  ‘That

 

(1)  the comments of the Committee be referred to the Cabinet; and

 

(2)  the Committee believes Option 3 to be the most practicable option at this stage, and that it reflects the Committee’s previously stated view in relation to the redevelopment and intensification in use of the North and South Annexes.’

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)  the Cabinet notes the progress made in vacating and disposing of administrative accommodation;

 

(2)  the principles guiding rationalisation and workplace design set out in the report of the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management be confirmed as the basis for planning and implementing the vacation of buildings and the intensified use of remaining administrative accommodation;

 

(3)  those buildings listed in Appendix B to the report be retained for use as administrative accommodation and the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management be instructed to report to a future meeting of Cabinet with an action plan for their improvement;

 

(4)  Liscard Municipal Building, Bebington Town Hall and Bebington Town Hall Annexe be vacated, declared surplus to the future needs of the Council, demolished and the sites cleared pending future proposals for their re-use;

 

(5)  the former Birkenhead Town Hall be re-used in part to provide office accommodation for the Council, within an overall facility that provides meeting and events space and supports community and cultural use;

 

(6)  an initial series of building works and staff moves be undertaken as proposed in the report;

 

(7)  the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management be instructed to take the necessary action to progress the vacation and demolition of on of the Annexes and to report further to the Cabinet on the options for the remaining building;

 

(8)  in respect of the Pennant House complex Cabinet recognises the  important role that Pennant House, Mayer Hall and 65 The Village play in the cultural heritage of the Borough;

 

(9)  the Cabinet believes that these buildings should be maintained to a satisfactory level to allow the public, voluntary organisations etc to continue to use and enjoy them;

 

(10)  the Cabinet will welcome any proposals from the community to take responsibility for running these buildings under the Council’s asset transfer policy;

 

(11)  the public of Bebington has made it clear that it wishes the One Stop Shop to continue to operate from Pennant House and the Cabinet supports wholeheartedly this view; and

 

(12)  Officers continue to consult with residents and local community groups with a view to agreeing a development plan for these buildings.

Publication date: 10/02/2012

Date of decision: 02/02/2012

Decided at meeting: 02/02/2012 - Cabinet

Effective from: 18/02/2012

Accompanying Documents: