Councillor Ruth Gordon, Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Local Economy, approved the procurement and tender of works for the relocation of the Young Adult Services team from 48 Station Road to the Clarendon Road College building. This decision is part of the council's broader strategy to consolidate services and improve cost efficiency.

Relocation of Young Adults Services from 48 Station Road

The Cabinet Member approved the procurement and tender of works for the relocation of the Young Adult Services team from 48 Station Road to the ground floor of the Clarendon Road College building N8. This move is part of the council's Shaping Wood Green Strategy¹, which aims to decommission and vacate several buildings, including 48 Station Road, to achieve cost efficiencies and maximise the utilisation of existing council assets.

The Young Adult Services team, which supports care leavers up to the age of 25 and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, currently operates from 48 Station Road. The relocation to Clarendon Road College will provide appropriate accommodation for the 60 staff members and allow for the vacant possession of 48 Station Road. The first floor of the Clarendon Road College building will be occupied by the Parking and Civil Enforcement team.

The decision was made after considering several factors, including the financial benefits of vacating expensive-to-run buildings like 48 Station Road. The report highlighted that the operational costs for 48 Station Road were significantly higher than those for Clarendon Road College. The relocation is also expected to contribute to the council's commitment to decarbonisation by repurposing existing buildings.

Alternative locations were considered, including 10 Bruce Grove, but this was discounted due to the estimated £385,000 cost of essential structural remedial works, in addition to potential reconfiguration costs exceeding £1 million.

The project has a projected refurbishment budget of £1,200,000, funded from the approved General Fund capital programme. The full business case for this relocation was previously presented to the Strategic Asset Management Board and the Strategic Capital Board in August 2025.