Agenda item - Issues Raised by Members

To consider the following matters raised by Members:

 

(a)           Written Questions:

To consider any written questions

168.1   A copy of the questions received was circulated ahead of the meeting. Responses provided both at the meeting and in writing are as follows:

 

(1)           Councillor McNair- Future of New England House

 

It was unclear in the paperwork what is happening with New England House.  Can you confirm if the new housing company will use this site for housing?

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

 

No decision is being made on the long-term future of New England House in this report. 

A fully developed appraisal of refurbishment and redevelopment options will come to Cabinet in the Summer and will consider different delivery strategies including mixed-use with housing and different types of commercial space. In developing our proposals we will work closely with the businesses and individuals that have made NEH the vibrant creative space it is today. 

 

(2)           Councillor McNair – Future of New England House

 

What alternative accommodation will you provide for the existing tenants who contribute so much to the creative economy?

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

 

We have reviewed the council's commercial property portfolio and have provided links to our agent’s website where details of all vacant properties available for review. We are also considering properties within our operational portfolio to provide alternative accommodation for tenants.

Some tenants have already found alternative accommodation outside of the council’s commercial property portfolio, and we will continue to support as far as we are able those tenants who are still looking for property. 

 

(3)           Councillor Meadows- Community Infrastructure Levy

 

Does Patcham & Hollingbury have £35583.21 to spend on traffic and parking improvements?

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

 

Thank you for your question. Patcham & Hollingbury ward has £35,583,21 Neighbourhood CIL available to invest in local projects and infrastructure. It will be for the local ward councillors to decide how to direct that funding into qualifying projects, taking into account the outcome of the views and suggestions made by local residents and community groups. The funding is not just ring fenced for spending on traffic and parking improvements. 

 

(4)           Councillor Meadows- Community Infrastructure Levy

 

When will councillors be contacted so that residents and councillors can input our suggestions for improved infrastructure?

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

 

Thank you for your question. The engagement process will start to be undertaken using the council’s Your Voice online platform in May to seek ideas and suggestions direct from both residents and community groups. A separate communications plan is being established to ensure that the consultation is effectively promoted through the press, social media and existing relationships with community groups.

A series of ward councillor briefings will also be held during late April and early May to set out the process, programme and how councillors will be supported in their decision making. 

 

(5)           Councillor McNair- Red Routes Update

 

Has a consultation been undertaken with shop owners since the implementation of the red lines in London Road and Lewes Road to find out if it has impacted small businesses at all? If so, can the contents of the review be made available to ward councillors?

 

Response: Councillor Muten

 

Thank you for your question, Councillor McNair. There has been engagement with shop owners both before and after implementation of the red route schemes through public consultation and in person meetings at the London Road Local Area Team (LAT) meetings which I attended myself, along with officers. I have also met with many of the traders and residents during the period of the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO). We listened during the extensive consultation prior to installation of the Red Route and made changes as a result of the extremely useful comments and views provided. For instance, the number of loading bays included in the scheme has almost doubled with several more added plus a motorcycle bay for delivery drivers. The contribution and collaboration with traders in making sure the Red Routes work well for businesses as well as the significant environmental and traffic benefits has been extremely valuable. We will continue to engage and listen to communities and local businesses once these Red Routes are made permanent with a responsiveness for further improvements, and in developing our future schemes.

 

(6)           Councillor Meadows- Concessionary Fares and Bus Service Improvement Plan Update

 

Has there been an updated consultation since the one in 2021 which was during covid?

 

Response: Councillor Muten

 

Thank you for your question, Councillor Meadows. Due to the timescales and commercial sensitivities during negotiations to get the best deal for the city, there has been a streamlined consultation involving Brighton & Hove Buswatch, the Enhanced Bus Partnership, and the Department of Transport. There has also been ongoing engagement with key stakeholders such as schools and colleges, Citizens UK, disability groups, the youth council, partners on the Transport and Travel Partnership, and other community groups and activists whilst negotiations with our bus operators proceeded.

 

(7)           Councillor Meadows- Concessionary Fares and Bus Service Improvement Plan Update

 

Which concessionary bus fares are at risk from cuts if the council does not achieve an uplift in funding?

 

Response: Councillor Muten

 

Thank you for your question, Councillor Meadows. There are no fares at risk as the council has secured a financial deal to protect all the concessions that are currently in place. Council has a statutory duty to reimburse bus operators for concessionary bus fares. This has been accounted for in the 2025-26 budget setting process. As a Labour administration, we are committed to a balanced budget. Further, through robust negotiation, we not only have delivered this within budget, but we have saved the city some £1million over a two-year deal whilst providing concessionary travel for over 42,000 residents well above the statutory minimum required.

 

(8)           Councillor Meadows- Brighton & Hove Fairness Fund and Household Support Fund 2025-26

 

Why is the council giving £67000 of the Fairness Fund to Operation Black Vote (para 3.24) for a civic leadership programme, instead of funding libraries which support all faiths and ethnicities yet are being cut?

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

 

The council is committed to increasing participation from its communities in local decision making and the civic leadership programme is designed to increase representation in public duty roles, supporting our aims to be a fair and inclusive city. 

 

 

 

Recruitment to the programme will encourage people from under-represented groups and with intersecting identities to ensure as diverse representation as possible.

 

(9)           Councillor Meadows- Brighton & Hove Fairness Fund and Household Support Fund 2025-26

 

Are there any plans to help other minority groups in the city such as travellers and working-class boys and girls to engage in civic leadership programmes?

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

 

The proposed allocation takes into account historical evidence that people from BRM communities are systemically and institutionally disadvantaged when it comes to employment and civic leadership. It will have a lasting impact as part of the council’s anti-racism strategy.

It’s acknowledged that there are barriers to employment and civic leadership faced by other groups and individuals with protected characteristics, particularly where there are intersections of vulnerability. 

Whilst there is no specific leadership programme planned for other protected characteristics, the EIA explores how the Fairness Fund and HSF mitigates impacts overall in terms of economic vulnerability, by providing a combination of safety net and support that aims to prevent households from experiencing crisis in the future. More broadly, the welfare infrastructure across the city and within the council provides an excellent range of support and advocacy. This includes income and benefit maximisation, support with removing barriers to employment for benefit-capped households, community-based projects driven by the people in those communities, and a diverse advice sector.

 

(10)        Councillor McNair- Planned Maintenance Budget and Asset Management Fund Allocations and Educational Capital Resources and Capital Investment Programme 2025-26

 

What are the new developments which are proposed (para 3.14) that will need s106 money to mitigate their impact?

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

 

Thank you for your question. The £4.085M in accrued s106 receipts has been generated through the commencement of a number of major planning applications previously granted for developments across the city. Details of the specific developments granted planning permission and the sums received can be found on the council’s Exacom system.

 

(11)        Councillor Hill- Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

 

East Sussex County Council appears to want to keep its boundaries and become one unitary authority. Given this, surely the proposal for 5 unitary authorities throughout Sussex is not able to get collective agreement?

 

Response: Councillor Hewitt

 

As you'll have seen, the East Sussex County Council response was published on the 11th of March, and, like the proposed Brighton & Hove City Council response, it is clear that East Sussex Councils remain open to alternative options should the government indicate flexibility in the current criteria, or if residents demonstrate a clear desire for us to consider an alternative configuration.

The key point is that having undertaken our initial engagement, we now need to collate the data and evidence which provides us with sufficient information regarding the benefits and challenges, including the potential costs of any changes to us as a unitary authority. All Sussex Councils will be doing the work and are all committed to working collaboratively with each other throughout this process.

 

(12)        Councillor Hill- Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

 

Jim McMahon has said that 350,000 people should be a minimum for local councils and would need to be justified with the average for all new councils being 500,000. Do you agree with this approach?

 

Response: Councillor Hewitt

 

I come back to my earlier point about needing the evidence in place to support change. I think our current size is broadly right but if there are opportunities through growth to address critical challenges, such as increasing economic prosperity then these are options we would want to explore for the benefit of all residents. We have set out our plan to test our proposals in the interim response and that will involve a lot of detailed work before submitting a final response in September.

 

(13)        Councillor Hill- Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

 

Does Cabinet believe that residents in places like Peacehaven, Shoreham or Worthing will want to join a new unitary authority which includes the current Brighton & Hove City Council boundaries? I don't see much evidence of this, do you?

 

Response: Councillor Hewitt

 

Our early engagement exercise was primarily responded to by residents of Brighton & Hove and no specific proposals have been put forward to residents in Sussex to draw conclusions from. As part of our next stage of this process where we work collaboratively with all the other Sussex Councils, we'll seek to engage with, and listen to the views of, residents and test our proposals with them.

 

(14)        Councillor Hill- Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

 

The consultation states that the majority of respondents believe that Brighton & Hove should stay the same. What proportion was this exactly and could we see published some exact numbers and responses to answers in the consultation?

 

Response: Councillor Hewitt

 

For this initial engagement exercise, we intentionally designed all our questions to be open-ended, avoiding any closed questions. This approach was chosen to encourage residents to elaborate on their responses, ensuring they felt free to provide detailed and expansive answers rather than being confined to a single, limited response. To ensure that the AI generated responses was factual, Officers did do a review, and we ascertained approximately 60% of individuals outlined a willingness that Brighton & Hove should stay the same.

 

(15)        Councillor Hill- Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

 

I'm concerned by the low number of responses in the consultation as only 2 people from Coldean & Stanmer ward responded. Whilst it is a small ward in population, this is still much less proportionally than elsewhere and consistent with lower turnout in the ward at the last local election. How will you address this in future?

 

Response: Councillor Hewitt

 

I do want to be clear that this was an early engagement exercise conducted over a short period to enable early thoughts to be shared and to gain a sense of public opinion. As we have set out in our proposed interim plan, we will carry out comprehensive engagement prior to submitting the final proposal in September and we intend that engagement to be transparent, accessible and proactive. We will include roadshows, themed focus groups and digital channels to ensure that we reach all of our communities.

 

(16)        Councillor West- City Economic Growth Board

 

In what way will the new City Economic Growth Board truly embrace the successful partnership working that has evolved over 20 years. What of the benefits of that model of collaborative working won’t be lost by this new narrower top-down approach?

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

 

The Brighton & Hove Economic Partnership has been a valued partner over the last 20 years. The Partnership has been steered by an Executive responsible for key decisions. The new Board will also have Councillor representation to ensure the voice of our business community reaches straight to the heart of the council – strengthening collaborative working and supporting our ambition to grow a stronger and more diverse city economy.

 

(17)        Councillor West- Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

 

The risk of devolution and LGR not being fully government funded is flagged in the report’s financial and risk implications. What are the costs likely to be beyond the significant cost of the initial work which the report suggests may already be up to £300,000. How can the cabinet be so enthusiastic about devolution and LGR when it doesn't know what the bill will be, nor yet understand the value of any possible efficiencies and how long they may take to deliver. Given the government has lost head-room yet seems determined to stick to its fiscal rules while seeking to grow protected budgets like defence, isn’t there a real risk here the council may end up footing a significant and yet little understood bill for devolution and LGR. Is this wise and prudent, or is it creating a financial exposure the council is in no position to absorb?

 

Response: Councillor Hewitt

 

Thank you, Councillor West. The government have made clear that areas on the Devolution Priority Programme will receive Capacity funding which will assist areas like ours, with implementation. One of the key activities between submitting our Interim Plan on Local Government Reorganisation in March and the final proposal in September, will be to ascertain the financial cost of any change.

The reason we are so enthusiastic about devolution and Local Government Reorganisation is that based on experiences of devolved areas so far it is beyond question that it brings greater financial investment and growth to areas and we know from our own experience the benefits and efficiencies of unitary over two tier governance.

 

(18)        Councillor West- Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

 

On page 67, the report says: "AI technology has been used to analyse the responses. While AI helps ensure a thorough examination of the data, there may still be some inaccuracies.". What firm conclusions can we draw from this analysis other than that it cannot be relied upon. Does the Cabinet agree with me that in order to reassure the public, business, staff and other stakeholder consultees that their valuable viewpoint is properly appreciated and respected, then this important analysis needs to be fully reconducted by human beings?

 

Response: Councillor Hewitt

 

Officers have been involved in every step of the way in developing this initial engagement exercise and providing analysis. AI has been utilised as a support mechanism, but the responses have also been reviewed by human beings and checked through. A public consultation exercise will take place to inform the final proposal to be submitted in September.

 

(19)        Councillor West- Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

 

I’m glad to see in the proposed interim plan for LGR that there is some appreciation given to the significance of the City’s relationship with the South Downs National Park and the UNESCO designated Living Coast Biosphere, as well as the importance of the 147 parks and other green spaces in the city. It is surprising then that there is no mention of our 13,000 acre City Downland Estate and its significance for health and wellbeing, nature restoration, tourism and carbon reduction as set out in the City Downland Estate Plan. Will this oversight be corrected?

 

Response: Councillor Hewitt

 

The report sets out the council’s Interim Plan on Local Government Reorganisation. The background information contained in the plan sets out our unique strengths and positioning as a city and provides an overview, but not an exhaustive list. We will be happy to ensure reference to the City Downland Estate is included in future.

 

(20)        Councillor West- Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

 

While much of the city’s publicly owned downland estate lies within the BHCC boundary, much also lies in surrounding jurisdictions. If LGR were to lead to an expansion of the unitary authority boundary, it would make good sense to incorporate much more of our downland estate within this new authority area. This move would certainly assist in a more coherent delivery of the aims of the CDEP as well as helping the authority to further delivery of the National Park’s Partnership Plan too. Would the Cabinet agree to amend the report to include the opportunity LGR presents to realign the Brighton & Hove unitary boundary to incorporate much more, and possibly all, of the city downland estate?

 

Response: Councillor Hewitt

 

The report sets out the Council's interim plan on local government reorganisation. We will be taking a much more detailed look at options for reform between now and September when the final proposal will be submitted and this will include consideration of the city downland estate plan.

 

(21)        Councillor West- Future of New England House

 

In the cabinet report establishing a new City Economic Growth Board, it suggests this initiative will support the Corporate Plan outcome 1: A city to be proud of,.’ and that the board will “ensure the council continues to work in partnership with the business community to support and grow our economy”. How does the cabinet reconcile this uplifting statement with their plan to evict dozens of businesses from New England House by September. Many businesses have asked for a longer notice period and fear their having to leave will cause their demise along with the loss of very many jobs. With suitable light industrial and workshop space in short supply in the city to receive these businesses, and the scale of costs some will face with vacating and fit-outs, what meaningful financial support will the council be offering those in desperate need to ensure they survive this trauma?

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

 

The report sets out the reasons a recommendation is being made to empty the building by end of September. Work is needed to fix the defects in the building and doing this work with tenants in place is unachievable. It is unsafe to keep tenants in the building for a longer period.

The current control measures we have in place gives tenants a period to vacate the building. We cannot increase this period without fixing the building’s core defects, which cannot be done while the building is occupied.

The council will take a pragmatic and flexible approach to supporting tenants to move during this period.

The issue of compensation and support for tenants is being considered and we are seeking legal advice on this issue. We know this is important for all tenants and aim to release further information in the next few weeks.

 

(22)        Councillor West- Concessionary Fares and Bus Service Improvement Plan Update

 

The report states that the approved budget for Concessionary Fares payments to operators in 2024-25 of £9.862m is showing a pressure of £365,000 reported in the TBM. The report also states there has been a 10% uplift in concessionary passenger numbers this year, adding to budgetary pressure. While the increase in bus use is welcome to see, given the administration have chosen to freeze many parking charges which help to pay for concessionary fares, and have added the considerable extra burden to the BSIP of funding their adventure with park and ride, how confident are the cabinet that they will not bust their budget again in the coming year?

 

Response: Councillor Muten

 

Thank you, Councillor West, for your question. As a Labour administration, we are committed to a balanced budget. Through robust negotiation, we not only have delivered Concessionary Fares within budget, but we have saved the city some £1million over a two-year deal whilst providing concessionary travel for over 42,000 residents well above the statutory minimum required through a deal tailored for our city’s requirements. 

For Concessionary Fares reimbursement, the two-year fixed deal we have negotiated with Brighton & Hove Buses is helpful in providing reassurance that it can be managed within budget for 2025-26.

BSIP spending and priorities are monitored and scrutinised by officers as well as the Department of Transport to ensure there are no pressures on core council budgets. 

Unlike some previous administrations, Labour is careful with the city’s finances and have delivered some £1million savings though this negotiated bespoke two-year fair deal for our residents.

 

(23)        Councillor West- Concessionary Fares and Bus Service Improvement Plan Update

 

I’m very pleased to see that the administration has decided to continue funding the vital Breeze Bus services in the 2025-26 Bus Service Improvement Plan from the Government Bus Grant. Countryside access is a chief driver for people choosing to retain car ownership. As campaigners have made clear, Breeze is an essential support for the large number of households in Brighton & Hove who either can’t afford to run a car, can’t drive or simply prefer to travel sustainably to minimise their carbon footprint. However, the administration's commitment is limited to one more year. Are we going to lurch from one year to the next with this, or will we see a multi-year settlement that allows the service to be properly marketed for passenger growth? Will the cabinet member commit to supporting this service for a longer term?

 

Response: Councillor Muten

 

Unlike your party who let the Breeze up the Downs partnership dwindle and cease without taking any effective action to save or reestablish this, we're acting to work in partnership to improve public access to the Downs. On the demise of this partnership, your party oversaw the removal of some 500 city centre parking bays, hiked up parking fees by 50% in three years, hitting those on lower income, including key workers, the hardest and leading to more congestion, poorer air quality and significant shortfall in projected income upon which supported services, including Breeze up to the Downs, relied.

Unlike your party, Labour are financially responsible, balancing the books and prioritising those most in need. Labour have instigated a holistic city-wide parking review, the first this millennium, and frozen parking fees, the first time for over a decade. After the Green Party's chaotic approach to budgets and city services, we were forced to take the number 77 and the 79 bus services out of the General Fund in February 2023 for the reasons I've given. However, we have a plan and with support from the Department for Transport we found grant funding to support the Breeze up to the Downs buses.

We are the party committed to sustainable public access to the Downs, we get things done, not with words but by our actions. And I take this opportunity to thank the many residents who campaigned in support of our actions to keep the Breeze up to the Downs bus service going. This is why we have approached the Department for Transport who have again approved BSIP support for Breeze up to the Downs buses.

You may be very pleased to know that we have strong indications that bus support is a Labour government priority and that there will be a three-year BSIP spending plan for 2026-27 to 28-29. We expect this to be confirmed this summer 2025. Thank you.

 

(24)        Councillor West- Concessionary Fares and Bus Service Improvement Plan Update

 

Will the cabinet member set out his plans for increasing usage rates of the Breeze buses. As he knows, I have asked if Breeze could perhaps be attracting more urban passengers who may not currently recognise the service is available to them as well as those travelling to and from the countryside. Will he also look at extending the 79 route to Ditchling village, which would be a significant additional destination point that would attract extra passenger journeys to the route?

 

Response: Councillor Muten

 

Thank you, Councillor West. This question is surprising as it comes from the party that saw the demise of the Breeze up to the Downs Partnership when they were in administration without taking effective steps to re-establish it. This was the partnership that promoted this service.

Nonetheless, there is an allocation of BSIP funding to promote the marketing of the supported services which include the Breeze network.

Furthermore, we are meeting with potential partners to re-establish the partnership with intent to both improve viability and better promote.

Before Covid19, the service 271 was diverted through Ditchling village but this was withdrawn due to lack of passengers.  Should the 79 be extended to Ditchling then more slack would need to be built into the timetable which may result in a reduction in the frequency of the service.  There is also an issue that the double decker bus is not considered suitable for the steep hill on the northside of Ditching Beacon. This would need replacing with a minibus or single decker reducing the capacity of the route and preventing the popular open top buses from running.

We are committed to improving the viability and sustainability of the Breeze up the Downs Bus services, to promote and develop in partnership better public access for residents and visitors to the South Downs.

      

(25)        Councillor West- Concessionary Fares and Bus Service Improvement Plan Update

 

It is important for planning bus growth that the council have the certainty of a multi-year bus grant. Why then has the Labour government perpetuated their conservative predecessors' short-termism in continuing the one year funding approach? Is the cabinet calling on their Government to create a more certain future for bus grant funding?

 

Response: Councillor Muten

 

Thank you for your question, Councillor West. We might agree on the shortfalls of the Conservative government and their short-termism and decline in public services. This is one of many reasons why the country elected the party of change. Labour are committed to moving away from the past. This is why Labour are committed to longer term funding settlements; including bus services supported through a multi-year grants.  The Department of Transport have given the Council strong indications that Bus support is a government priority and that there will be a three-year BSIP spending plan for 2026/27 to 2028/29.  You might be pleased to hear they are expected to confirm this in Summer 2025. This Labour administration welcomes this.

 

(26)        Councillor Sykes- City Economic Growth Board

 

The B&H Economic Plan, which is a key reference document in this paper, itself significantly references the city’s asset base as a basis for underpinning growth ambitions. As we stated at the time the new Economic Plan was launched, despite this asset focus there is little if any reference to the climate resilience of assets in the Economic Plan. How will the CEGB help rectify this gap and ensure our city and its growth ambition is prepared for future climate hazards?

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

 

I think the first thing to say that's really important is one of the core strategic imperatives, there were eight in the economic plan, is the following: which is to decarbonise and create a more regenerative economy. So it is central to what we know we need to do to get sustainable growth in the city, and obviously the country more broadly. It's also worth noting the significant efforts of this administration to undertake developing a real plan for decarbonisation, and I won't stray into party political points because I don't want to incur the wrath of Councillor West, but it is worth noting that the new decarbonisation report that Councillor Rowkins has brought forward, and the plans that unfold from that, are quite a significant departure from the approach that has been taken in previous years.

So, I'm agreeing with you in the substance of your question in that yes, the resiliency of assets or our asset base, which is significant in the city. As you know have large portfolio commercial buildings, housing, property but also the downland estate and other farm assets in the city. The resilience is obviously very important, but that is already included in a sense in that the overall plan is very focused on decarbonisation and a more regenerative economy.

 

(27)        Councillor Sykes- Red Routes Update

 

The paper and the positive results of the new red routes are welcomed and I’m sure Brunswick and Adelaide will welcome the proposal to consider a red rote for Western Road Hove. However, one side effect of parking congestion has been that it limits to an extent speeding vehicles, which have been a real problem on Western Road Hove. Please can the Cabinet Member advise on how the problem of speeding vehicles will be included in appraisal of the new red routes?

 

Response: Councillor Muten

 

We welcome your party’s support for the proposed red route on Western Road. Cyclists, pedestrians and disability groups all report improvements to safety with fewer obstructions and clearer sight lines where we have introduced red routes in our city. Bus passenger injuries are fewer and air qualities improve with less congestion. There are overwhelming safety improvements. Council officers will liaise with Sussex Police to assess the impacts of speeding vehicles. You'll note a caution about their deduction is noted. Adherence to speed limits will be factored in as a consideration within the design. The proposals for the majority of loading and parking bays will be on the south side of the road, with bus stops on the north side themselves which will form chicanes in the road. These have proven to assist in road safety by slowing the traffic. It's also important to note that the key strategic corridor for buses, which will be stopping at bus stops to load and unload passengers, which would limit increased speeds.

Red routes provide significant safety benefits through encouraging responsible parking and not creating hazardous obstacles for passing traffic. I'm not suggesting necessarily those are responsible for the instant you refer to in the Norfolk Square but it's possible that there might be some incidents whilst vehicles are manoeuvring around illegally parked vehicles and also cyclists report such hazards as well having to go into the stream of passing traffic to avoid an illegally parked car or van. But yes, in short we will look at this in the design and to make sure there's a here adherence of speed limits. Thank you.

 

(28)        Councillor McLeay- Future of New England House

 

There is evidence that the council have been aware of the fire risks at New England House (NEH) for some years. Can the cabinet make a formal commitment to adequately compensate businesses who have, in good faith, invested tens of thousands of pounds in refurbishment (some as recently as September 2024)?

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

 

The issue of compensation and support for tenants is being considered and we are seeking legal advice on this issue. We know this is important for all tenants and there will be further discussion with tenants in the coming weeks.

 

(29)        Councillor McLeay- Future of New England House

 

Can the cabinet commit to compensating businesses that will need to relocate expensive and complex machinery?

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

 

The council is considering compensation options to contribute towards tenants’ moving costs. There will be further discussion with tenants in the coming weeks.

 

(30)        Councillor McLeay- Future of New England House

 

With the notice period officially starting March 20th, and given the severe lack of space in the city for these independent businesses to use, how much flexibility can be given for businesses unable to secure a relocation site ahead of September 30th? What reassurances can be shared with the anxious business owners of NEH today?

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

 

This report is intended to give tenants certainty that the building must be vacated by 30th September.

The report does not ‘officially’ give notice to tenants. Formal written notice will be given to tenants individually in accordance with the terms of their tenancy documents.

For almost every tenant, this means they must vacate the building by 30 September. The council is considering whether a handful of tenants can stay longer. Those tenants will be contacted imminently, if they have not already.

We aim to be flexible with notice periods for tenants, permitting them to vacate earlier than their notice period.

 

(31)        Councillor McLeay- Future of New England House

 

The report for Cabinet references an internal audit being done to review the decision making up to the temporary closure of New England House in November 2024. Given the scale and impact of the issues at NEH, will Cabinet consider an external investigation, rather than solely an internal audit?

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

 

It's a fair question. The council has a good internal audit team who I know well and are independent, rigorous and well qualified. It's really important that the council can learn its own lessons and we have to embed a culture where we can question and challenge ourselves, and our own internal audit team can do that level of scrutiny and reporting. The report will be published and we can have a look at that and its conclusions.

 

I just would say a further external report would obviously add cost, and that would be money that would be taken away from potential further refurbishment or support from tenants, so I think the right approach is a good internal audit that we then bring to Audit and Standards Committee that Councillor West will chair and Members will obviously interrogate it.

 

(32)        Councillor McLeay- Future of New England House

 

There are multiple council owned properties within BHCC’s commercial portfolio, including the former Lloyds bank building at Preston Circus. What steps are being taken to review all of BHCC's commercial assets to review the possibility of them being used as meanwhile space for NEH tenants until refurbishment has been completed? I would specifically like to know the position regarding the empty Lloyds bank building as I believe the council has previously resisted use as meanwhile space to charities in the city, but my understanding is the property continues to sit empty.

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

So I mean broadly the thrust of your question is what the Council are doing. We're looking at our entire commercial and operational portfolio to try and find solutions. There's obviously specific needs and tenants, it’s not always that they will line up with the space that the Council have, but that is exactly what we're attempting to do. But I'm also trying to assist more generally. But as I said in my answer to the earlier question, that there's no point us pretending that we will have perfect solutions for every tenant but the council understands acutely the contribution that the businesses in that building made to the local economy, and the diversity and creativity of the local economy, so it's really important we try and find those spaces if we can within our own portfolio. Specifically on that building, the Lloyds Bank building, it's actually going to be let this week and that will be, I don't know whether that'll be announced or not in terms of who's taking it, but it has been let and so is no longer available.

 

(33)        Councillor McLeay- Large Panel System Blocks Programme Update

 

There is an overall budget envelope of £18.8m across the next 5 years, but in papers for the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2025/26 to 2028/29 it was highlighted that over the short term there is a need to ensure the blocks remain safe with measures being introduced which require a significant revenue investment for the HRA. Considering the level of investment required and that this is a national issue, with leaseholders across the country continuing to be on the hook for huge sums to make homes safe, what work is being done to claim compensation from the failings of an unregulated construction industry? Could Cabinet press the Government for more support on fire remediation issues?

 

Response: Councillor Taylor

 

We have reviewed the council's commercial property portfolio and have provided links to our agent’s website where details of all vacant properties available for review.  We are also considering properties within our operational portfolio to provide alternative accommodation for tenants. 

A new letting is due to complete on the Lloyds bank building this week and is no longer available.