Agenda item

Town Hall redevelopment proposals

Minutes:

In February 2019, Cabinet approved a budget of £250,000 for the development of housing projects on Council-owned sites. The land to the rear of the Town Hall was identified as one of those sites to be explored. Following the change in administration in May 2019, it was made clear to officers that options for the future of the Town Hall were also to be considered. Subsequent discussions with the Leader had reinforced that position and therefore investigations into the rear of the site had incorporated the Town Hall and ancillary buildings.

 

The existing Town Hall was clearly an asset of historical significance for Bexhill and therefore all scenarios explored sought to retain and refurbish the core elements of the existing property. It was clear that the carbon performance of the existing buildings was very poor and needed to be a consideration for any works that were sought to be undertaken.  In addition, the current building did not offer the attractive modern working environment expected by many employees.

 

A full options analysis had been undertaken, attached at Appendix B to the report.  Option 4, ‘Whole Site Development’, presented the opportunity for works to be cost neutral in the longer-term, would regenerate a central area of Bexhill, and would provide Rother District Council (RDC) and other public sector organisations a fit for purpose, modern working environment into the future.  East Sussex County Council (ESCC) was also consulting on plans that could be transformational for the Town Hall Square; the two schemes would be complementary and therefore the proposals made would incorporate the ESCC work.

 

A design team had been appointed to undertake a high-level concept feasibility options study for the whole site development, with an initial view to delivering housing on the site. The feasibility study showed that, with the right mix of housing and commercial space, it was possible to deliver a scheme that would be revenue neutral, in that the income earned through rent and capital receipts could offset the cost of borrowing for the scheme.

 

A staff survey had been carried out to understand how officers were likely to wish to work in the future given the precedent that had been set by the organisation’s response to flexible and home working during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this survey showed that, whilst the staff had adapted well to home working, most would anticipate still working in an office environment between one and three days a week ‘Post COVID’.  Based on this, it was estimated that RDC would have an ongoing space requirement to accommodate 120 full time equivalents. Discussions had also been had with a number of other public sector bodies who potentially required workspace for staff.

 

Next steps would be to appoint the relevant architects, engineers, consultants, surveyors and other professionals to work up detailed proposals and achieve planning permission on the site. Consultations with staff would continue throughout the process.

 

Members raised some concerns about agreeing to grant delegated authority to the Head of Services Acquisitions, Transformation and Regeneration to procure the services required, and enter into contracts as necessary, for the completion of detailed designs before the budget had been agreed by full Council.  Therefore it was recommended and agreed to insert the words ‘subject to Council approval of the budget…’ to the resolution.

 

RECOMMENDED: That the scheme be included on to the Council’s Capital Programme and a budget of £460,000 be agreed to progress detailed designs for the future of the Town Hall, Bexhill site;

 

AND

 

*RESOLVED: That subject to Council approval of the budget, the Head of Acquisitions, Transformation and Regeneration be granted delegated authority to procure the services required, and enter into contracts as necessary, for the completion of detailed designs.

 

*The RESOLVED parts of this minute are subject to the call-in procedure under Rule 16 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

 

(Councillor Prochak declared a Personal Interest in this matter in so far as she was Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct left the meeting during the consideration thereof).

 

(Councillor Timpe declared a Personal Interest in this matter in so far as she was a member of the Planning Committee and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct left the meeting during the consideration thereof).

 

(Councillor Vine-Hall declared a Personal Interest in this matter in so far as he was Chairman of the Planning Committee and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct left the meeting during the consideration thereof).

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