To agree the property services 2019/20 estates capital works programme.

The proposed programme of works as set out in Appendix A, incorporates a series of planned project works that enables the council to deliver on its obligations to maintain buildings fit for purpose utilising the agreed £1.15m capital budget which was approved at council budget meeting of 15 February 2019.

That:

(a)       the 2019/20 estates capital programme as set out in Appendix A be approved at a total cost of not more than £1.15m; and

(b)       the assistant director for technical services be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the above recommendation and spend within the approved budget including final allocation of budget to the projects as listed in Appendix A provided that individual project costs do not vary from the estimate included by more than 25%.

1.         Without adequate expenditure on a programme of capital improvement works, property assets will depreciate and will have a negative consequential adverse bearing on the value of the estate.

2.         A lack of investment on building improvement works on council property estate assets could render them to deteriorate which will ultimately make them no longer fit for their intended purpose as well as potentially have an impact on any services located in such properties, to the extent that they may have to be closed and service delivery would be severely impacted.

3.         Absence of capital investment on improvement works to buildings that are leased to the private sector would render those properties unlettable because they are either non-compliant or are not fit for habitation and a subsequent loss of revenue to the council.