The Strategic Director Corporate Services will submit a report (Document “BS”) which sets out the overall progress made by the Property Programme (formerly b-works) to date and on the 2016/17 projects. The report also highlights the future direction of the Property Programme outlining the work plan, investment requirement for 2017/2018 and seeks Executive approval to commence with those plans and to the implementation of the proposed Council’s Property Investment Strategy.

Recommended –

It is recommended that the Executive:

(1)       Note the progress of the Property Programme.

(2)       Note the approval of the release of £2.0m of funds to allow the   Essential Works to the Council’s estate as shown in Appendix 1.

(3)       Note the Future Direction of the Programme.

(4)       Approve £500k for the demolition of Jacobs Well to be funded    from reserves and business rates savings. The final decision to      demolish to be delegated to the Strategic Director Corporate             Services in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder.

(5)       Approve the Investment Strategy as outlined in Section 6 and    detailed in Appendix 2, and in particular:

(i)            Approve in principle, the proposal to make strategic investments in commercial property for either the purpose of economic development/regeneration within the District, or for the purpose of long term income generation to support the council’s financial pressures , or a mixture of both in line with the property investment strategy.

(ii)          That delegated authority be granted to the Strategic Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Leader to make investment acquisitions, on the basis that they are in line with the Investment Strategy.

(6)       That in order to build flexibility into the scheme, the Executive    continue to grant the Strategic Director of Corporate Services, in   consultation with the Portfolio Holder, powers to make alterations    to the programme on the basis that the total spend is below the            amount authorised and the work is in line with the objectives of    the programme.

 (Stephanie Moore - 01274 432256)

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:          Corporate

The Strategic Director Corporate Services submitted a report (Document “BS”) which set out the overall progress made by the Property Programme (formerly b-works) to date and on the 2016/17 projects. The report also highlighted the future direction of the Property Programme outlining the work plan, investment requirement for 2017/2018 and sought Executive approval to commence with those plans and to the implementation of the proposed Council’s Property Investment Strategy.

A comprehensive overview of the Programme to date was given, which were also detailed in the report.

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder in welcoming the report, acknowledged the achievements made by the Property Programme over the last 5 years, which had resulted in a £50m reduction in building maintenance costs, over £7m per year gross revenue savings from vacating properties, resulting in overall savings of over £40m by the end of the Programme.  He added that essential works to the Council’s estate were necessary and that it showed the commitment to maintain assets wherever they were in the district.

In relation to the proposals for Jacobs Well, the Portfolio Holder explained that the proposal offered the most effective solution for this site, and that Community Asset Transfers afforded a great opportunity to work with community groups to realise the end goal.

The Leader stated that the Shipley Public Sector Hub had resulted in huge benefits as well as savings, enabling closer working with our partners.

Resolved –

(1)       That the progress of the Property Programme be noted.

(2)       That the approval of the release of £2.0m of funds to allow the    Essential Works to the Council’s estate as shown in Appendix 1 to Document “BS” be noted.

(3)       That the Future Direction of the Programme be noted.

(4)       That  £500k for the demolition of Jacobs Well be approved, to be           funded from reserves and business rates savings. The final             decision to demolish be delegated to the Strategic Director         Corporate Services in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio          Holder.

(5)       That the Investment Strategy as outlined in Section 6 and detailed        in Appendix 2 to Document “BS” be approved, and in particular:

(i)            Approve in principle, the proposal to make strategic investments in commercial property for either the purpose of economic development/regeneration within the District, or for the purpose of long term income generation to support the council’s financial pressures, or a mixture of both in line with the property investment strategy.

(ii)          That delegated authority be granted to the Strategic Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Leader to make investment acquisitions, on the basis that they are in line with the Investment Strategy.

(6)       That in order to build flexibility into the scheme, the           Executive continue to grant the Strategic Director of          Corporate Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder,     powers to make alterations to the programme on            the basis that           the total spend is below the amount authorised and the work is in line with the objectives of the programme.

ACTION: Director of Corporate Services

 (Stephanie Moore - 01274 432256)

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:          Corporate