Purpose

Award of Contract and Next Steps: Ashdown House: Following the negotiations on Option 1 contained within report FIN/741 which was considered by Cabinet on 24 June 2026 being unsuccessful, the Leader (in consultation with the Head of Corporate Finance and the Head of Law & Governance) will reconsider Options 2 and 4 contained within Section 6 of report FIN/741 and approve (including any related contract awards) which ever option provides best value to the Council.

Decision

The Leader has:

1. Noted that negotiations to secure a tenant for Ashdown House under Option 1 of Section 6 of report FIN/741 have concluded without agreement and therefore that option (previously approved by Cabinet) can no longer be progressed.
2. In consultation with the Head of Corporate Finance and the Head of Law & Governance, approved Option C as detailed in Section 5 of report SHAP/106, with any additional funding being funded by the Property Fund and reported by the Head of Corporate Finance in the Quarter Monitoring Report.
3. Delegated any negotiations, approval and completion of all relevant documentation, including and not limited to, legal paperwork and conducting of any procurement exercise, to the Commercial Asset Manager, Head of Corporate Finance and the Head of Law & Governance. (Generic delegations 2, 3 & 8 will be used to enact this recommendation).