GREEN Group Amendment
Utilisation of empty
council buildings
That the
relevant changes are made to the recommendations as shown below in
strikethrough and bold
italics:
This council:
1) Notes that City Council buildings are now significantly underutilised;
2)
Further notes that the
cause of this is the Council’s policy to move towards more
flexible working arrangements remote service provision
with staff working from home;
Recognises the
unnecessary costs to the taxpayer being incurred from the City
Council maintaining and heating buildings which now largely sit
empty;
3) Notes that other Councils have downsized their council buildings since the pandemic; and
4)
Notes that progress
with decanting council buildings is regularly reported to the
cross-party Asset Management Board which also receives reports on
any proposals to dispose of empty or underused buildings owned by
the council, most recently on 1 November 2022
5)
Recognises the need
for an updated Asset Management Plan to be submitted to Asset
Management Board to continue ensuring that council accommodation is
consistent with the council’s needs
Calls for a report
containing a cost-benefit analysis of downsizing the City Council,
that includes:
a.
Current occupancy
of Council buildings;
b.
Proportion of
council staff working from home;
c.
Potential benefit
to the budget from downsizing the council, including by leasing
empty office space or selling unneeded premises.
Proposed by: Cllr Hugh-Jones Seconded by: Cllr Gibson
Recommendations to read if carried:
This council:
1) Notes that City Council buildings are now significantly underutilised;
2) Further notes that the cause of this is the Council’s policy to move towards more flexible working arrangements with staff working from home;
3) Notes that other Councils have downsized their council buildings since the pandemic; and
4) Notes that progress with decanting council buildings is regularly reported to the cross-party Asset Management Board which also receives reports on any proposals to dispose of empty or underused buildings owned by the council, most recently on 1 November 2022
5) Recognises the need for an updated Asset Management Plan to be submitted to Asset Management Board to continue ensuring that council accommodation is consistent with the council’s needs