Agenda item

This report sought approval for the procurement and tender of the works for the proposed relocation of the Young Adult Services team currently located at 48 Station Road to Clarendon Road College building N8, an existing operational building that became vacant in September 2025 when the previous operational Service moved to the Roger Sylvester Centre, Canning Crescent

The proposal was for the team to be relocated to the ground floor of the Clarendon Road College building as the first floor is to be occupied by the Parking and Civil Enforcement team. There were 60 members of staff in the Young Adults Services team and 6 additional staff (to be recruited to post April).

Colleagues in Young Adult Services had been consulted and had inputted into the redesign and reconfiguration of the ground floor of the Clarendon Road College building. The relocation of Young Adult Services to the ground floor of the Clarendon Road College building would provide appropriate accommodation for the service. 

The relocation of Young Adult Services to the ground floor of the Clarendon Road College building will ensure vacant possession of 48 Station Road and alignment with the Councils Shaping Wood Green Strategy as the other services in occupation would be moving to the Civic Centre. 

The Cabinet Member had held a number of discussions prior to the signings including with the Finance team so that assurances could be sought regarding the prudent nature for the Council to save money on buildings as it consolidated the working nature of the Council’s staff. The Cabinet Member was satisfied that the Finance team were felt content with the progress and felt that the process outlined in the report was the best proposal for the foreseeable future.

The Cabinet Member RESOLVED

To approve the procurement and tender of the works for the proposed relocation of the Young Adult Services team currently located in 48 Station Road to the ground floor of the Clarendon Road College building N8. 

Reasons for decision

It was the Council’s intention to fully decommission and vacate River Park House, Alexandra House and 48 Station Road, 40 Cumberland Road and other properties on Station Road as part of the Shaping Wood Green Strategy. 

The objectives of this project were to:

-       Achieve cost efficiency and avoid unnecessary costs by decommissioning operationally expensive buildings.

-       Maximise operational efficiency by providing a centralised location for the team and clients.

-       To sustainably re-purpose and refurbish existing buildings or spaces where possible ensuring optimum space utilisation.

-       To contribute to the Council’s commitment to decarbonise.

To ensure maximisation of vacant space within the Clarendon Road College building, the first floor was to be occupied by the Parking and Civil Enforcement team as this would ensure vacant possession of River Park House and alignment with the Council’s Shaping Wood Green Strategy. This has been the subject of a separate Full Business case (see Appendix 1) that was presented at Strategic Asset Management Board on the 21st August and Strategic Capital Board on the 27th August 2025.

Colleagues in Young Adult Services had been consulted and had inputted into the redesign and reconfiguration of the ground floor of the Clarendon Road College building. The relocation of Young Adult Services to the ground floor of the Clarendon Road College building would provide appropriate accommodation for the service.

The relocation would also ensure vacant possession of 48 Station Road and alignment with the Council’s Shaping Wood Green Strategy as the other services in occupation would be moving to the Civic Centre. 

Alternative options considered

Do nothing – This option would mean continuing to operate this service from 48 Station Road would unnecessarily burden the Council with high operational costs to keep the building open. It would also inhibit the progress of and undermine the business case of the Shaping Wood Green Strategy.

Alternative locations - Although 10 Bruce Grove (situated to the front of Youth Grove Youth Centre) was considered as a potential alternative location for Young Adult Services it was discounted as extensive structural works had been identified in a recent structural survey specifically in the basement. The costings for the recommended structural remedial works were estimated to be in the region of £385,000. These works excluded any reconfiguration, or alteration works to the existing building which would likely be in the region of or exceed £1million based on the estimate for Clarendon Road. In addition, the location of this building was not ideal as it was not centrally located within the vicinity of Wood Green. There were no other available alternatives centrally located operational buildings.

Officers had reviewed the commercial portfolio for an alternative premises.