Decision details

To present a business case and plan for demolition of County Hall, Phases 1 to 4, the redevelopment of the site and the transfer of some functions to Unity House, in Ewloe

The Chief Executive presented the County Hall Civic Campus and Ewloe Office Re-location – Outline Plan report.

                        The Council had reduced the size of its office accommodation required at County Hall in Mold and now only occupied Phases 1 and 2.  Unity House in Ewloe was vacant and negotiations to finalise the dilapidations claim had been concluded.  In the short to medium term there was a viable option to consider moving a large number of office staff from County Hall to Unity House whilst at the same time considering the longer term strategy for a civic hub.

                        Initial planning work and an associated business case set out the short to medium term options stating that a relocation to Unity House could be achieved by 2018.  The report provided further details on the costings and plans and proposed a phased approach to moving.

                        In response to a question from Councillors Thomas and Attridge, the Chief Executive explained that the report was considered to be confidential due to the nature of the commercial information it contained, particularly in relation to the estimated value of the land at County Hall.  It was agreed that the non-confidential details of the report would be shared as soon as possible.

                        Following a discussion, the recommendations in the report were amended and agreed as outlined below.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That a business case be approved for detailed consultation with Trade Unions and the workforce and for consideration in the 2018/19 budget; and

(b)       That a masterplan be commissioned for the County Hall campus and tenders be invited for the demolition for Phases 3 and 4.