Issue - meetings

Councillor Harvey

To consider a report requesting approval of a budget for design fees for the conversion of the West Wing, Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames and make a recommendation to Council.

Reason for exemption

This report contains exempt information within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006:

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

In all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in the bidding procurement of contracts by allowing other parties to know the position of the Council.  This in turn prejudices the Council by (i) distorting the procurement process and (ii) prejudicing the opportunity for the Council to place contracts for the prudent management of its financial affairs.

[Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)]

Cabinet considered an exempt report seeking a recommendation to Council for approval of a budget for design fees for the conversion of the West Wing offices to 25 new apartments.

The conversion to residential units would help meet the wider objectives of the Council in increasing the provision of housing within the Borough.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Cabinet:

·         Not to approve a recommendation to Council on a budget for design fees.

Resolved to recommend Council to:

1.    Approve a budget for design fees for the conversion of the West Wing offices to 25 new apartments;

2.    Authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to enter into any legal documentation necessary to implement the redevelopment project; and

3.    To delegate the appointment of the advisors and design team to the Group Head of Regeneration and Growth in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

Reason for Decision

As part of the efficiencies being delivered by Project Lima the West Wing will become vacant by May 2019 and available for alternative uses. Its conversion to residential use will meet the wider objectives of the Council in increasing the provision of housing within the Borough.

The Council obtained Permitted Development Rights approval for conversion of the building from offices to residential use (25 apartments) on 17^th October 2018.

The ongoing revenue stream (once the works have been completed) will assist in the future long term financial stability of the Council.