Issue - meetings

To agree the principles to be applied when planning for the council’s office accommodation needs and to approve the components of the strategy.

The cabinet considered the closed part of the report prior to agreeing the decisions below.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the principles to be applied when planning for the council’s office accommodation needs as set out in appendix 1 of the report be agreed.

2.  That the components of the strategy developed by officers in accordance to these principles be approved:

·  Concludes that the retention of Southwark’s three town halls as operational buildings as agreed on 21 October 2008 by the then executive is not affordable;

·  That the future use of Southwark Town Hall, Walworth Town Hall and 19 Spa Road (known as Bermondsey Town Hall) and the functions remaining within the town halls are reallocated in accordance with the detail as described from paragraph 47 of the report;

·  That officers bring forward plans to provide for a large shared operational office facility in the centre or south of the borough;

·  That it be confirmed that 17 Spa Road will be surplus to requirements from 30 September 2011;

·  That officers provide alternative means of providing customer services to the current users of the Bermondsey One Stop Shop;

·  That officers develop proposals for the relocation of the pavilion building currently at 17 Spa Road to Camberwell through a full investigation of potential sites, including D'Eynsford Road, integration with wider plans for regeneration in Camberwell, following a complete needs analysis and consultation.

3.  That the finance director incorporate all resource implications arising from the agreed programme within the policy and resources strategy for 2011/12-2013/14 and to incorporate capital implications within the revised capital programme for agreement by council assembly.  The finance director to identify required funding in consultation with the cabinet member for finance and resources.

4.  That officers commence preparation immediately on best terms for the sale of freehold, sale of leases and termination of leases, of property held by the council and released through this strategy.