Andrew Bircher

...to address the Town Hall Move, they unanimously approved Option 1, the best value option, for implementation, along with a capital budget of up to £517,200 for its delivery, and authorized the Director of Environment, Housing and Regeneration to approve project expenditure and urgent works funding, in consultation with relevant officers and the Committee Chair.

...to recommend to full council a 3% pay award for staff for 2026/27 and to approve funding to support the implementation of the Real Living Wage from April 2026.

...to ensure sound management of the Council's finances, the Committee noted new assumptions for Property Income Equalisation, Collection Fund Equalisation and Interest Equalisation Reserves and reappropriated identified reserves into Corporate Projects and Maintenance Reserves to support council priorities.

...to progress the Council's property strategy, the Committee agreed to note updates on strategic priorities, remain engaged with funding opportunities, declare 70 East Street surplus to requirements, allocate up to £10,000 to market it for sale, authorise the Head of Property & Regeneration to manage the sale, and note the findings of completed asset reviews.