Decision

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Noted the Financial Sustainability and Recovery Strategy contained within the MTFP reported to Cabinet on 8 July 2026, and especially the priorities in respect of asset disposals during the period of financial recovery;
2. Noted the current valuations (RBVs) for the Shirehall site set out at paragraphs 4.6 and 4.7 and in Table 1;
3. Agreed to take steps to move urgently and in principle to the marketing for sale and disposal of the site with minimum conditions attached;
4. Delegated authority to the Service Director – Place Shaping, in consultation with the s151 Officer and Monitoring Officer, to take the necessary steps to implement this decision, including preparation of a marketing prospectus for presentation to Cabinet for agreement in the Autumn;
5. Noted that the marketing prospectus will confirm the preference for the site to be utilised for Housing development including both private and affordable, subject to planning consent, whilst achieving the earliest and optimum return to the Council;
6. Noted that the marketing prospectus will refer to the additional preferences identified by Council in December 2025, namely (sic) to pursue the development for mixed use incorporating healthcare, affordable supported living and commercial as well as residential units but these will be guides and not imperatives as part of any proposal;
7. Noted that the marketing prospectus will be published together with evaluation criteria to guide Cabinet in the selection of a preferred developer.
8. Noted that development proposals including sale values will be invited for evaluation by the Director of Place Shaping from any interested party or parties, including joint ventures;
9. Noted that the Council’s stated preference, to be set out in the marketing prospectus will be for the selected developer to commit to both obtaining planning consent and demolition or refurbishment of the building as part of the developer’s proposal;
10. Noted that a further update report including the draft prospectus for sale will be provided to Cabinet by Officers in the Autumn;
11. Noted that Officers will make all efforts to minimise the current running costs of the Shirehall site while appropriate levels of security and completing the vacation of the building to enable vacant possession of the site;
12. Noted that a separate report on the future options for the Shirehall Overspill car park site will be presented to Cabinet in September 2026; and
13. Noted that any proceeds from the sale will be prioritised to reduce the Council’s need for Exceptional Financial Support (‘EFS’).