Minutes of the meeting of the Council Offices sub-committee held 18th April 2023

CO22/007 PRESENT

Cllrs Coan, Forbes, Gray, Malloy and McCulloch.

In attendance: A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk).

CO22/008  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

All members were present.

CO22/009 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

Cllr Forbes declared a personal interest in CO22/011 on the grounds of being disabled.

CO22/010 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

It was RESOLVED to confirm the minutes of the sub-committee meeting held on 20^th June 2022.

CO22/011 PROGRESSION OF DEVELOPMENT OF UPDATED BUSINESS CASE

It was noted that 60 King Street was unlikely to be sold and therefore it was unlikely that the council would have a significant capital receipt in the near future. It was noted that a key aspect of the case for transferring ownership from Cheshire East Council was increasing accessibility within the building, access to democracy through bringing the chamber back into use and greater community use.

Cllr Coan arrived.

It was noted that with current interest rates on borrowing and significant construction inflation the cost of a complete renovation exceeded the council’s budget. It was noted this was the final meeting of the sub-committee for the civic year and that a new council was due to come into office in May.

It was RESOLVED to guide the future sub-committee membership that this sub-committee believes a phased approach to improving the building should be undertaken, considering carefully what needs to be done and what could be done to maximise its use and accessibility whilst remembering the building is Grade II listed.