Agenda item

This report provides an update on the Asset Management Strategy, as requested by the Committee.

The Committee considered the report providing an update on the Council’s Asset Management Strategy. Officers confirmed that the Council generates around £6.7m from its commercial portfolio of about 330 properties. It was confirmed that the many of the Council’s properties were rented to independent traders in areas such as the Shambles. The Council also maintained office spaces, such as, at its Eco Business Centre which had a focus on startup companies.

It was confirmed that most of the Council’s city centre units were occupied. Officers confirmed that there was always a conversation nationally about how to use a Council’s commercial activity to support the funding of services. They noted that the Council was heavily commercial but were not in the same position of some Councils who had built billion pound investment portfolios. They noted that the Council’s Asset Management Strategy sought to identify opportunities within York that didn’t unnecessarily increase risk. The Committee enquired as to where the proposed saving of £800,000 in the Council budget would be identified from the Council’s assets. Officers noted that two Council owned cottages were being marketed to be sold at a market price of £400,000 each.  

The Committee enquired about the role the new Combined Authority and regional Mayor would have on Council assets and housing delivery. Officers confirmed that the Council would continue to own its assets and that the Mayor would hold a strategic position in Housing delivery, but that the Council would continue to operate its housing delivery programme and housing strategies. Members also enquired as to whether the Council was in discussion with the combined authority to ensure there would be a presence in York. Officers confirmed that the Combined Authority already rented space at the Councils West Offices building to the Combined Authority and would continue partnership working to ensure there remains a strong voice from York in the authority.

Members questioned the Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects and Equalities about how the Executives pledge of 100% affordable housing would be implemented. The Executive Member explained that on Council land designated for housing development, these would be developed either by the Council or registered providers as 100% affordable housing.

Officers confirmed that they were working on 100% affordable housing and in discussion with Members confirmed that there were challenges on some sites to deliver 100% affordable housing but were reviewing this for sites such as 17-21 Piccadilly. Officers confirmed that they would know more after this review but that small city centre sites such as this could pose problems for registered providers to take on and build 100% affordable housing.

The Committee discussed whether the Council could encourage certain types of businesses and promote certain sectors. Officers confirmed that the Asset Management Team worked closely with the Council’s Economic Development Team to use the Council’s role as one of the city’s largest commercial landlords to support the Council’s economic strategy.

Members raised questions regarding how the Council was seeking to decarbonise its current portfolio. It was confirmed that the Council had recently been awarded UK SPF funding for decarbonisation work and that they continued to work with the Council’s Head of Carbon reduction to access grant funding for further work. Members enquired about whether assets the Council had released to communities to manage would receive support in decarbonising these assets and it was confirmed that the Council did continue to work closely with community groups regarding the maintenance and improvements to these assets.

Finally Members also discussed whether small patches of land in their wards could be handed over for community use. It was noted that these type of sites were often held by highways and could be used for things like underground cables. Members agreed to request that Council’s be provided with a guide of what assets the Council owns in their ward. Members were also advised that they could approach the Executive if there was a Council asset they thought could be explored for use by a community group or project.

Resolved:

                         i.         Noted the progress made against the actions as set out in the Asset Management Strategy;

                        ii.         Officers would share with Council’s a guide to help identify all Council owned assets by ward.

Reason:     To ensure the Committee are content with the progress made against the actions in the Asset Management Strategy.