Purpose

Proposed
decision:
 
The Deputy Leader to:
 
Revisit, Review and Determine the future of
KCC Strategic Headquarters (SHQ) arrangements including Sessions
House and Invicta House and associated investment and/or disposal
options
 
Reason for the
decision
 
-     
Following a change in administration and confirmation of the
indicative Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) timetable, the
Administration intends to reconsider the current property strategy
relating to KCC Strategic Headquarters (SHQ). The outcome of the
review will support a decision to either continue as per the
original decision or progress with an alternative
option. 
 
Background
 
-     
The property strategy in relation to KCC’s SHQ has been
discussed and considered over a number of years with decision
24/00100 having been taken by the previous Administration. That
decision is currently in the implementation phase. The
implementation of the project is reaching a critical stage where
KCC would need to enter into contracts for the works to Invicta
House and progress the disposal of Sessions House.
 
-     
Given the imminent contracts that KCC would be required to enter
into would involve committing the Council to significant
expenditure, the Administration intends to review the decision and
consider an alternative of maintaining a presence in Sessions House
and the disposal of Invicta House. As part of this, the
Administration will consider both these options against:
 

The impact of the
indicative LGR timetable
Minimising capital
spend and any associated borrowing in the next three
years
Retaining the
heritage associated with Sessions House for use by staff and
Members

 
Both the current option and alternatives will
have different financial and operational opportunities and
challenges that will be explored within future, more detailed,
reporting as part of the relevant decision-making processes.
 
Options (other
options considered but discarded)
Alternative options have been considered and
are detailed within the updated and previous Business Case. The
previous options that have been considered include:
 

Do nothing
Relocation of SHQ to an alternative
KCC property
Relocation of SHQ to a new property
(both leasehold and freehold) 

 
How the proposed
decision supports the
Framing Kent's Future - Our Council Strategy 2022-2026
 
Detailed assessment of this will feature
within future decision documentation, following further
consideration of the key information. 
The Administration will assess the strategic value of maintaining
different SHQ arrangements than those currently approved in
accordance with relevant aspects of the Council’s Strategic
Statement.
 
How the proposed
decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022 -2026:

Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery Strategy.pdf
 
The Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee
report, the options appraisal and any decision-making documentation
will consider alignment with the Strategic Statement and the
Council’s Best Value obligations.
 

Decision

The Deputy Leader to agree to:
 
1.      AGREE to discontinue with the
Preferred Option as set out decision 24/00100;
2.      Given the proposed Local
Government Reorganisation timetable indicated by Government CONFIRM
Sessions House will continue to be the strategic headquarters for
KCC for the remaining life of the Authority;
3.      ALLOCATE £4m from the
2025-34 approved capital budget to enable the essential and urgent
backlog maintenance works at Sessions House to be completed;
4.      WITHDRAW from the sale of
Sessions House and Albert Street Car Park with immediate
effect;
5.      DISPOSE of Invicta House and the
associated car park as soon as practical to reduce holding costs
and liabilities for the Council;
6.      REALIGN the capital and revenue
budget as required to enable the above to be implemented; and
7.      DELEGATE authority to The
Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader
to authorise the execution of necessary contractual and land
agreements required to implement the above.