Review of buildings to make savings

Work is taking place to assess the buildings the council owns and manages to see which are no longer needed.

A report to the cabinet on 13 October looks at the buildings the council owns and seeks approval to dispose of those which may no longer be required.

Disposal does not necessarily mean sale, and some of the buildings could be take on by local community groups or other organisations to manage.

Some of the buildings are occupied by council and other services and, if the report is approved, consultation will take place with the occupants to discuss their needs and find alternative accommodation.

The council reserves the right not to sell.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of the council, said: “As a council we face significant financial challenges with a projected funding gap of around £11m by 2024/25 even after we deliver the current £22m savings.

“By disposing of council buildings that we no longer need, there will be fewer savings needed from frontline services.

“If any buildings are sold we will raise capital funding, and also save on the yearly costs of managing them.

“But I stress that, even though we will be reviewing these buildings, no final decisions have been made yet. Selling buildings is not the only option. No services will be moved before alternatives are in place which we will fully communicate about.

“Disposal does not automatically mean sale. In fact, we are supporting a number of community groups to take over some of the assets we have previously agreed to dispose of. We have also held workshops with local councillors to outline the processes around these options and will continue to work with all those interested in the sites.

“We cannot take this lightly as an organisation and the only way to meet the challenge is through a co-ordinated strategy. Taking active steps to rationalise our land and buildings is an important part of this. Many of these assets are no longer needed.”

The report can be read here: https://councildecisions.bury.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=126&MId=2881&Ver=4

ENDS

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