Issue - meetings

COVID19 has had a significant impact upon and how the council manages its’ commercial estate.  The pandemic has resulted in immediate and permanent changes to our ways of working and our operational estate requirements.  COVID19 related socio-economic impacts, some of which may become permanent, require the organisation to re-position its estate to respond to this change.

Councillor Richard Samuel introduced the report by saying that the Council's property holdings have produced income for many years, which was used for a wide range of services and on the improvements in the area. There were 1,200 properties with a value of around £1bn. Councillor Samuel stressed that this area of the Council was ‘a jewel in the crown’ that must be looked after and nurtured.  However, the time has come to consider a change of direction especially in the recent months (since COVID19 pandemic).  The budget 2021/2022 would consider how the decoupling of income from service provision could take place.

The elected Councillors were ultimately responsible for the performance of this portfolio, and it is for the Cabinet to uphold.  However, a delicate balance was necessary between property portfolio decisions and the freedom for officers to manage the estate on a day to day basis without undue pressure from members.  More rigorous governance was required drawing on national best practice in public and private sectors.  Councillor Samuel said that he intended to bring these changes forward for agreement soon. The proposals would outline who would benefit from future arrangements and would emphasise the huge beneficial opportunity that exists with a fresh look at the service.

Councillor Samuel said that he would like to invite Mandy Bishop (Chief Operating Officer of the Council who had carried out quite a lot of work on this matter) to speak the recommendation as moved and seconded, to take the Cabinet through the details of the report.

Councillor Richard Samuel moved the recommendations.

Councillor Rob Appleyard seconded the motion by echoing comments made by Councillor Samuel in his introduction, in particular on the need to revisit the service provision through recent challenging times during the pandemic.

Mandy Bishop (Chief Operating Officer) took the Cabinet through the report. 

The Bath and North East Somerset Council were fortunate to be the custodians of an extensive estate and land holdings.  The Council commenced a review prior to the pandemic of its property arrangements.  The report clearly indicated that the Council had to accelerate this work as it was necessary and timely due to COVID and the impacts that has had not just on commercial estate but also on Council's operational estate.

There were four key strands that were looked at the newest estate strategy and it was really important to define at that strategic level what the objectives were for this study and look at those conflicting priorities. It was not just about Council's objectives; it was about being clear and transparent about governance arrangements and the decision making processes, and the general approach not just with the property but also with land holdings, including community asset transfers.  There was a lot of interest in local communities, particularly around asset transfer which was really important point in terms of engagement with those communities in that process.

The developing strategy would align with the priorities contained in the Council's Corporate Plan for 2020-2024.  The last time the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80