Fear for Derby City Council jobs over buildings sell-off
UP to 80% of the buildings which Derby City Council owns or leases could be disposed of to save nearly £3 million in maintenance fees, the authority's leadership has revealed.
The council has 1,500 premises across the city, including 340 from which it delivers services.
But it says that number must be reduced over the next three years in the face of cuts to its grants from the Government, which, along with the city's growing population, has left it needing to save £62 million.
Deputy council leader Ranjit Banwait said the council was moving towards a centralised model "as opposed to having localised services". This is being aided by the newly refurbished Council House which has more space for employees.
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Mr Banwait said that "at times of austerity the policy made sense" but that he would prefer to see services based in communities. Asked if the council would help staff who may find they have further to travel to work, Mr Banwait said: "I don't think we have sites more than three miles from the city centre, so I don't think it will prove a big change for people. But we will look at it on a case by case basis."
The council wants to reduce its spending on property maintenance from £4.3 million to £1.43 million over three years.
It also aims to save £225,000 over the three years in cleaning and caretaking costs.
Moz Greenshields, Derby Area Trades Union Council secretary, said she was "concerned that the saving in cleaning and caretaker costs would mean more job reductions".
Mr Banwait said the authority's leadership would work closely with unions to "avoid job losses as much as possible".
The council's cabinet is expected to confirm next Wednesday that a board will be created to decide which buildings will be kept and which will go. Some could be sold, others could be passed on to community groups which Mr Banwait said could "pay a peppercorn rent" and some council leases for buildings will not be renewed.
The board will decide which buildings the authority should dispose of, based on how energy-efficient they area, the cost of maintenance and how efficiently they can accommodate employees.
No buildings that could be disposed of have yet been announced.
Mrs Greenshields said unions were keen to see as many of the buildings as possible converted into social housing. She added: "The council needs to make sure that the properties being sold are sold at their true value."
3 Comments
by PETEZDON
Friday, March 15 2013, 11:36AM
“It's a good idea to sell off buildings that does not have uses for services within the city. The Derby City Council does not have the expertise in selling value for money. Buildings will be given away at under market value, and private individuals will make a handsome profit from the taxpayers expenses.
Housing is needed within the city to cope with the demand, there is a eroding of the empty buildings that are not in use within the city. theses ministers and council delegates have not the understanding or expertise's.
they are only enriching themselves and enforcing there positions.
spin doctors they are.
the big idea should be implemented here as the public should have a say to determine the outcome of sales profits and were the money is then spent to enrich the ailing community.
Roman and Celtic house should not be sold off but converted to accommodation ie flats apartment as there is adequate parking to accommodate.
plus the bonus intensive is that it will increase a amount of wealth to the local shopping environment as residents will be living in the city center as such.
derby city council should be looking at the environment aspects of its exciting empty dwellings and work out if they stand up to the change in the environment. energy is costing factor with insulation and other unforeseen factors.
listed buildings will become a dinosaur in our progression to advance in the future. and the cost will only increase in our taxes being forever raised.
A pot of boiling water left unattended will only spill over and create a wash of disaster in the kitchen. logic and understanding is the cure.”
by AlvastonW
Thursday, March 14 2013, 11:03AM
“Many council buildings are in urgent need of repair with little money in the pot. Community groups ans sports clubs could take on some of these but before that takes place the council need to ensure all options are explored and that comprehensive, long-term ongoing support is given to community groups managing properties including professional training, guidance and assistance in putting together grant/funding applications and promoting of facilities. This along with honest not politically minded defect reports, repair estimates, running costs and incomes need to be fully available to community groups before a decision is made.”
by Derby_born
Thursday, March 14 2013, 9:18AM
“The intention from the outset of the plans to refurbish the Council House was to get rid of leased office space and some of the buildings owned by the council in order to make savings on maintenance and concentrate services to a central location. This story is not news, it is just a reminder that this council is carrying out the plans set out by the previoys council.”