The proposed purchase of a modern office building in Scarborough as part of wider plans to rationalise North Yorkshire Council’s estate and support regeneration is to be considered by councillors.
North Yorkshire Council is proposing to buy Resolution House, located on the A64 on the outskirts of the town, as it reviews its property portfolio.
The authority currently operates Scarborough Town Hall and Castle House in the town, which provide office space for employees as well as customer services.
The Town Hall in particular is significantly under-utilised with more than 100 desks sitting empty on a typical day and 80 per cent of the available floor space unused due to its deteriorating condition. Modernising and bringing the building up to standard could require up to £19 million of investment.
By acquiring Resolution House, the council aims to modernise its estate to better support its workforce, deliver annual savings of up to £400,000, and drive economic growth by releasing prime locations for regeneration.
Members of the council’s executive will be asked to approve the potential purchase of Resolution House when they meet on Tuesday next week (March 17).
North Yorkshire Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Gareth Dadd, whose responsibilities include property, said:
“We have had to move quickly to secure this prospective deal. It would demonstrate good value for money and open up a lot of positive opportunities.
“Following local government reorganisation and the launch of this authority, we inherited a large number of buildings that were no longer fully used and in poor condition.
“Our plans remain at an early, exploratory stage, but some of our buildings, particularly in Scarborough, pose a problem as they are under-utilised and cost up to £1 million each year to run.
“This is not sustainable, and their deteriorating condition means we have to address this and invest now, in order to save money and protect our estate’s long-term future.”
The proposal to buy Resolution House will provide modern, flexible and fit-for-purpose office accommodation for council staff and make annual savings by bringing services into fewer, more efficient buildings.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane, whose responsibilities include regeneration, said:
“It’s clear that we must work at pace to secure the future of these sites and accelerate redevelopment, while working closely with our staff, stakeholders and partners as plans are developed.”
If approved by councillors, the plans may have implications for the future of some council-owned buildings, including Scarborough Town Hall.
The 1960s Grade II-listed Scarborough Town Hall building occupies a prominent town centre position overlooking the South Bay.
The purchase of Resolution House also represents an opportunity to review the use of other council-owned buildings in the wider area, including Ryedale House and Stanley Harrison House in Malton.
All work remains at an exploratory stage with further detailed analysis and engagement to be held with staff, services and customers.
At next week’s meeting, councillors will also be asked to allocate a provisional investment of up to £750,000 to help progress redevelopment proposals on any vacant sites and support the possible creation of new customer service points in Scarborough and Malton town centres.
The report which will be presented to members of the council’s executive on Tuesday next week can be viewed at https://edemocracy.northyorks.gov.uk/documents/s64774/Property%20acquisition%20to%20support%20the%20Councils%20asset%20rationalisation%20programme%20-%20Executive%20Report.pdf
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