Purpose

To seek Cabinet approval to utilise the funds agreed in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2029/30 for the purpose of engaging a contractor to carry out refurbishment works at The Birches building:

• To provide improved space for vulnerable children and young people where they can receive support and undertake accredited programmes to lead positive, safe lives, in a dedicated space that is fit for purpose, and focused on early intervention and prevention.

To provide improved office space in order to bring the Youth Justice Service together and establish a dedicated Harm Outside the Home (HOTH) hub to consolidate existing support and interventions under one roof

Decision

Cllr Ben Evans sought Cabinet approval to utilise the funds agreed in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2029/30 for the purpose of engaging a contractor to carry out refurbishment works at The Birches building:

To provide improved space for vulnerable children and young people where they can receive support and undertake accredited programmes to lead positive, safe lives, in a dedicated space that is fit for purpose, and focused on early intervention and prevention.

To provide improved office space in order to bring the Youth Justice Service together and establish a dedicated Harm Outside the Home (HOTH) hub to consolidate existing support and interventions under one roof.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and RESOLVED to:

1. Approve the spend of £600,000 to refurbish The Birches (a GCC owned building in Tewkesbury) for the purpose of:

a)    providing improved space for vulnerable children and young people where they can receive support and undertake accredited programmes to lead positive, safe lives, in a dedicated space that is fit for purpose, and focused on early intervention and prevention.

b)    providing improved office space in order to bring the Youth Justice Service together and establish a dedicated Harm Outside the Home (HOTH) hub.

1. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Asset Management and Property Services (AMPS) in consultation with the Deputy Leader/Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets & Transformation, to:

a) Conduct a competitive procurement process under the council’s Major Project Framework Agreement (or its successor) in respect of a call-off contract for the provision of refurbishment works to the property.

b) Award the above contract to the preferred contractor.