Council Headquarters (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Council Headquarters

August 17, 2008 5:17 PM

City Centre Proposals :

Accessible, Sustainable, Customer Focussed

Liberal Democrat Council Leader Cllr Andrew Waller has today announced that the council is still proceeding with a city centre location for its headquarters.

Work has been ongoing to review options since a letter of objection was received in July from English Heritage to the location (but not design) of the planning application by the council to their Headquarters building. Some of the sites in the original trawl have been reviewed, as have opportunities that have been suggested to the council since the planning application was withdrawn.

Officers will be preparing a detailed review for the council's Executive for their meeting on 9th September. A key option will be "Hungate Plus" which relies upon the majority of the headquarters function being in a pared down building in the planned location but with auxiliary offices to make up the space needed. Other city centre options are being examined and the business case being tested against this.

Cllr Andrew Waller said,

"The council headquarters must be accessible, customer focussed, fit for purpose, and as environmental friendly as possible. As the public transport and cycling links for residents and staff are geared towards coming into the city centre, then this is a strong sustainability reason to maintain a presence in the city centre.

Ø Sustainable in terms of public transport and cycling access for residents, staff and visitors from outside City

Ø Support infrastructure (professionals and suppliers) are geared to this location

Ø Its where the council owns land and where the council can get best value for money

Ø Its where many council functions will remain (e.g. Guildhall)

Ø Spending power of 1400 staff sustains City centre economy

Ø Residents can call in when they are in the city centre for other reasons reducing unnecessary journeys

"There are 1,400 staff involved in the move from the scattered existing 16 office locations, and for the council to take these employees out of the city centre would be very damaging to the city centre economy. Residents can combine visits for their council business with other transactions in the city centre, which could not be combined if the headquarters were "out of town."

"We will retain the historic Guildhall, which will retain some key council functions, such as committee meetings, and therefore it makes sense for the headquarters to be located nearby."