Securing income for Council services, more homes and tackling the

climate and ecological emergency have been set out as key criteria for a review of B&NES Council’s £500m property estate.

In a Cabinet report, Councillors are being updated on the impacts of Covid-19 on income from its commercial estate – with £6.6m less income than expected received from April-October 2020 as a result of the pandemic, and commercial estate “voids” increasing to 7.6% in the same period.

The Council’s Cabinet is being advised of the need to “rebalance” its property holdings in the wake of the pandemic. It is also being advised that rent arrears have increased and that Covid-19 has accelerated change in areas such as online shopping and home working.

Fresh thinking recommended includes exploring the move of redundant retail space to residential uses to promote city centre living, and making sure assets contribute to the Council’s climate and ecological emergency declarations and to its regeneration role.

The report also highlights the “Preparing for the Future” programme, which recognises the need for less office space as a result of Covid-19, with many staff continuing to work flexibly. Over 1,200 staff moved to homeworking arrangements in March and income will be gained from letting office space no longer required in Bath, with two floors of Lewis House already let.

The report recommends the development of a new Corporate Estate Strategy and changes to the Council’s estates, maintenance and construction functions, as well as engagement with the Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel in the emerging Corporate Estates Strategy. The final report is expected in January/February 2021.