Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approve the works set out in section 1.7 in relation to:

(a)  The Black Hut;

(b)  Oaklea Retreat;

(c)  Clifton Learning Centre;

(d)  The Meeting Place (Wingfield); and

(e)  Artworks, Brook Hill

2.    Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Property and Facilities Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Community Safety to amend the works as required within budget.

Consideration was given to the report which set out the Council’s commitment to invest in several community buildings, initially over the next 2 years, through the investment of £600,000, already approved as part of the Budget and Council Tax report at Council in March 2025. The £600,000 investment would be targeted at buildings with the greatest need, with a focus on health, safety, compliance, and structural integrity. Officers from Property and Facilities Services, in collaboration with the Council’s Neighbourhood Teams and community groups, would define the scope of works and ensure that any investment was aligned with sustainable occupancy and governance arrangements. Where possible, other forms of funding, whether internal or external, would be sought to complement the already allocated £600,000.

Section 2.4 of the report detailed the community facilities that had been identified jointly by the Property & Facilities Service and the Neighbourhood Teams. These were:

-         The Black Hut: A cost of £200,000 was estimated to carry out structural repairs and compliance upgrades, accessibility improvements and energy efficiency measures. Work was being assessed for the best route to market with a view of starting prior to the end of Autumn 2025 with a completion date of March 2026. The aim was to re-open the facility under a sustainable management model, ensuring it continued to serve the Kimberworth Park community safely and effectively.

-         Oaklea Retreat: Costs identified for the works would be determined once surveys had been completed. Initial works that had been identified included structural repairs, accessibility improvements, energy efficiency measures and establishing a formal lease and governance structure. It was envisaged that work would be procured and commissioned over the winter months and completed through spring, no later than the end of March 2026.

-         Clifton Learning Partnership: Work would be undertaken to provide replacement windows, signage and decorations, repairs paths and car parking areas, and carry out improvements to access to ensure DDA (Equality Act) compliance. The works to Clifton were currently programmed for the next phase from March 2026 onwards. Detailed surveys would be carried out over winter and into early spring. Once completed this would determine a more accurate timescale to carry out the works identified. Costs of the works would be determined once surveys were complete and would fall within the budget allocation for the overall project.

-         The Meeting Place: Aligned with the Clifton Learning Partnership, the buildings and surrounding assets would need a full survey to determine costs and timescales. Works would align with the surveys being carried out beyond March 2026 and works completed no later than March 2027. The work would include, as a minimum, painting and decoration, signage upgrades, energy efficiency measures and establishing a formal lease and governance structure.

-         Artworks, Brook Hill: The proposed investment at the Brook Hill site would include essential external improvements, including rainwater goods, soundproofing, and energy efficiency upgrades such as insulation and lighting. A more detailed survey would take place in Spring 2026, developing the scope and a final list of works required. All works would then be completed no later than the end of March 2027.

The report was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB), who advised that the recommendations be supported. During the debate at OSMB, it had been agreed that an asset register of all Council buildings, including the Wards they were located in be produced immediately and that an update report be provided in 12 months to OSMB to include the updated condition survey results, where available. An additional recommendation was put to Cabinet that the Assistant Director for Property and Facilities Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member, ensure that Ward Members were informed of the condition survey findings within their Ward and were consulted regarding investment planning in community facilities within their Ward. This recommendation was accepted by Cabinet.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.      Approve the works set out in section 2.4 in relation to:

1.      The Black Hut;

2.      Oaklea Retreat;

3.      Clifton Learning Centre;

4.      The Meeting Place (Wingfield); and

5.      Artworks, Brook Hill

2.      Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Property and Facilities Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Community Safety to amend the works as required within budget.

3.      Accept the proposal from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board and agree that the Assistant Director for Property and Facilities Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member, will ensure that Ward Members are informed of the condition survey findings within their Ward and are consulted regarding investment planning in community facilities within their Ward.