Agenda item

14.1

The purpose of this report is to outline the challenges being faced in terms of the maintenance of the Council’s property estate and the associated risks, such as non-compliance with legal standards and possible building closures due to unsafe conditions. It sets out how, pending the outcome of the Strategic Accommodation Review agreed by Finance Sub-Committee in November 2022, the Council will ensure that these risks are managed.

In November 2022, Finance Sub-Committee also requested a detailed breakdown of the investment required to address current maintenance issues across the Council’s estate and this report also provides that detail.

The report proposes an approach to the prioritisation of repairs which will minimise disruption to services and building users, ensure any maintenance issues are resolved in a timely manner and allocate funding in accordance with a prescribed prioritisation framework.

14.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Finance Sub-Committee approves the approach to the prioritisation of maintenance works within the current funding envelope, as set out in this report.

14.3

Reasons for decisions

14.3.1

To approve our strategy for prioritising works within the current funding envelope as described in this Policy Committee Report.

Outcome: Capital Works will be within affordability and prioritised in such a way as to minimise risk and avoid building failure / closure

14.3.2

To approve our business rules for prioritising repairs to the Corporate Estate.

Outcome: Repairs will be within affordability and prioritised in such a way as to minimise risk and avoid building failure / closure. The Capital Works progress and expenditure reporting will be transparent and timely and open to scrutiny in accordance with all council policies and procedures using a methodology which is robust and familiar to all stakeholders.

14.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

14.4.1

To approve our strategy for prioritising works within the current funding envelope as described in this Policy Committee Report:

Do nothing would result in the continued underinvestment in our properties leading to building failures and potential risks to safety

14.4.2

To approve the approach to prioritising repairs to the Corporate Estate:

Do nothing would result in pressure on the revenue budget with repairs being carried out beyond affordability, leading to building failures and potential risks to safety.

14.1

The Director of Direct Services presented a report informing members of the challenges being faced in terms of the maintenance of SCC’s property estate and the associated risks, such as non-compliance with legal standards and possible building closures due to unsafe conditions. The report set out how, pending the outcome of the Strategic Accommodation Review agreed by this Committee in November 2022, SCC would ensure the management of these risks and

14.2

A detailed breakdown of the investment required to address current maintenance issues across SCC’s estate was provided in the appendices to the report.

14.3

The report sought approval for an approach to the prioritisation of repairs which would minimise disruption to services and building users, ensure any maintenance issues were resolved in a timely manner and allocate funding in accordance with a prescribed prioritisation framework.

14.4

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Finance Sub-Committee approves the approach to the prioritisation of maintenance works within the current funding envelope, as set out in this report.

14.5

Reasons for decisions

14.5.1

To approve the strategy for prioritising works within the current funding envelope as described in the Policy Committee Report.

Outcome: Capital Works would be within affordability and prioritised in such a way as to minimise risk and avoid building failure / closure

14.5.2

To approve the business rules for prioritising repairs to the Corporate Estate.

Outcome: Repairs would be within affordability and prioritised in such a way as to minimise risk and avoid building failure / closure. The Capital Works progress and expenditure reporting would be transparent and timely and open to scrutiny in accordance with all council policies and procedures using a methodology which is robust and familiar to all stakeholders.

14.6

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

14.6.1

To approve the strategy for prioritising works within the current funding envelope as described in this Policy Committee Report:

Do nothing would result in the continued underinvestment in SCC’s properties leading to building failures and potential risks to safety

14.6.2

To approve the approach to prioritising repairs to the Corporate Estate:

Do nothing would result in pressure on the revenue budget with repairs being carried out beyond affordability, leading to building failures and potential risks to safety.