Agenda item

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive seeking Members’ confirmation of the Council office’s location in the immediate term so that key dependencies could be progressed.

The report provided background information regarding the viability of the Council building at Princes Road, the initial intention of the Council to relocate from Princes Road and the pausing of the project whilst focus was given to establishing the Council’s Asset Management Strategy. Members were advised that since this time a number of other initiatives relating to building maintenance and repair, set out in the report, had reached a stage where critical decisions were needed in order to be able to move forward.

With Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation the future of the building and its role within local authority was unclear. Officers were therefore recommending that the Council confirmed its intention to remain in the Council Office building in the immediate term. This would enable critical operations and strategic decisions to be made regarding the Council’s Net Zero, Repair, Maintenance and Refurbishment ambitions and for them to be delivered whilst wider decisions were made.

The Chairperson moved the recommendations set out in the report and these were duly seconded.

During the debate that ensued and in response to questions, the following information was provided by Officers:

·                All the requests and references within the report were in principle. Confirmation of any spend would come back through the appropriate Committees or the Council for sign off and at that point the detail would be presented. This report was seeking approval to do further work around the work being requested.

·                Three reports had been undertaken with regards to the Council building, one of these related to the efficiency of the building and what could be put in place with regards to Net Zero infrastructure. This was guidance and further work was required to provide more assurance.

·                The monies detailed were an indicative indication of what could be spent. The Leader commented that of these monies it was expected that a large proportion would come from grants and the Net Zero Working Group had been looking at this.

·                It was confirmed that a report on Net Zero, including some health and safety issues which had been considered by the Net Zero Working Group could be shared with Members.

The Chairperson put the recommendations which were duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             That Maldon District Council will continue to operate from the Council Offices at Princes Road;

(ii)            That Maldon District Council will not be seeking to develop another site or relocate the Council to another office building for the immediate term;

(iii)           That the principle of 2025 spend from reserves with the purpose of ensuring urgent maintenance items are progressed is approved and details of any spend will follow normal approval processes as specified;

(iv)           That the principle of progressing with Net Zero feasibility and for officers to secure relevant funding to support this activity is approved;

(v)            That the principle of progressing further work with regard to making improvements to the offices to ensure they remain fit for purpose for Members, Officers and the Council’s tenants be approved along with spending from reserves (via the appropriate governance route) should it be agreed that these should be implemented.