Issue - items at meetings - Hove Town Hall, South End, Proposed Office Option

Report of the Executive Director for Finance & Resources (copy attached).

1)           That Policy & Resources Committee approve the refurbishment of the south end of Hove Town Hall as specified in paragraph 3.5 of this report.

2)           That the Executive Director Finance & Resources be granted delegated authority:

(i)            to commence appropriate engagement and negotiations with potential service providers and organisations, in relation to the proposed refurbishment referred to in paragraph 2.1 above; and

(ii)          to grant leases to such service providers and organisations on such terms as the Director considers appropriate.

40.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Finance & Resources in relation to Hove Town Hall, South End, Office Option. The report outlined an alternative proposal for the south end of Hove Town Hall; namely the conversion of the first floor spaces into an office which could be occupied by other external public or private service organisations that had potential synergies with existing council services to promote collaborative working.

40.2    Councillor G. Theobald stated that it was sensible to collocate with partners, but he still questioned if Hove Town Hall was the right location to do this. He agreed with the disposal of King’s House, but he did not think investing the proceeds into the renovation of Hove Town Hall was the correct way option. A location such as Sussex House might be more appropriate for offices and Hove Town Hall could be considered as a site for a school.

40.3    Councillor Morgan noted the decision in relation to sale of King’s House and the renovation of Hove Town Hall had already made and he did not believe it needed to be revisited. He supported collocation, and asked if there were ways to provide grant relief to third sector organisation and partners through accommodation arrangements.

40.4    In response to Councillor Peltzer-Dunn the Executive Director for Finance & Resources explained that the report sought delegated authority to engage with those potentially interested in the space and the additional investment and borrowing that was not within the scope of the original recommendation. It was also confirmed that benchmarking work had been undertaken and Officers were confident a competitive market rate could be achieved.

40.5    Councillor Randall provided assurance that Officers were discussing all possibilities with partner organisations.

40.6    The Chair then put the recommendation to the vote.

40.7    RESOLVED:

1)        That the Committee approve the refurbishment of the south end of Hove Town Hall as specified in paragraph 3.5 of this report.

2)        That the Executive Director for Finance & Resources be granted delegated authority:

(i)        to commence appropriate engagement and negotiations with potential service providers and organisations, in relation to the proposed refurbishment referred to in paragraph 2.1 above; and

(ii)       to grant leases to such service providers and organisations on such terms as the Director considers appropriate.