BCP Council proposing to sell Civic Annex to raise funds and cut running costs
Another building is being put up for sale by BCP Council as the local authority looks raise money and reduce operation costs
A council building is recommended to be sold as part of plans to raise funds and reduce costs.
BCP Council is proposing to dispose of its Civic Annex in Bournemouth, located next to the main Civic Centre, and relocate several key services currently based there.
The move would affect the coroner’s service, as well as election, events, and parking enforcement teams.
Councillor Jeff Hanna, BCP Council’s cabinet member for transformation, resources, and governance, said: “Like many councils across the country, we are facing significant financial pressures, with growing demand for services, rising costs, and cuts in government grant.
“It’s right that we look at ways of raising capital and making the best possible use of our buildings while continuing to provide effective services for residents.”
The Civic Annex has already been identified for disposal under an agreement with the Bournemouth Development Company.
A cabinet report says the building would require “significant investment” to upgrade electrical and network infrastructure if it were to remain in use.
Of four options presented to cabinet members, the preferred proposal involves relocating the coroner’s jury court to the council chamber and the adjoining west wing.
The elections team would move to the ground floor of the main town hall building, along with meeting rooms on the second and third floors.
Customer and housing services would be based on the third floor, with a smaller presence remaining on the ground floor, while parking enforcement would relocate to the civic basement.
The events team will also move into the Civic Centre, though a specific location has not yet been identified.
Councillor Hanna said: “Continuing to rely on an ageing building that needs significant investment could cost residents hundreds of thousands of pounds a year.
“Relocating services from the annexe will reduce this spend, avoid future maintenance and support a more sustainable approach to managing our estate in the future.”
The relocation project is expected to cost £2.3 million, funded through around £530,000 in capital receipts and £1.8 million in short-term borrowing.
BCP Council expects to repay the borrowing from the eventual sale of the site.
Costs will be shared between BCP Council, covering just over half, and Dorset Council, which will pay the remainder under the shared coroners service agreement.