October 2019

Cross Party Working Group Appointed

Full Council appointed a cross party working group focussing on the development and renovation of the town hall and the requirements of the Council.

The cross party working group has representation from all of the political parties on the Council, alongside a representative from the Town Forum and Council officers.

Cllr Tom Dawlings, Cllr David Scott, Cllr Mark Ellis, Cllr David Hayward, Cllr Hugo Pound

The Working Group focussed on producing a proposal for Full Council to consider that allows the Borough to make the best use of the Town Hall as a facility. The building in its present form requires significant investment to repair or refurbish.

December 2019

Agreed to Repurposing the Space

Full Council agreed to pursue repurposing and redeveloping much of the Town Hall into high-spec, modern, flexible, rentable office accommodation for start-ups, SMEs and more established businesses.

March 2020

Brief Prepared and Covid 19

The cross party working group was in the process of preparing a draft brief to take to the market, for a decision at a Cabinet meeting in June 2020.

The Covid-19 pandemic led to the first national lockdown, the Council invoked its emergency plan to deal with new priorities and the Civic Complex Working Group was put on hold.


February 2021

Cross Party Working Group Reconvened

The cross party working group reconvened and considered the impact of the Council’s post-pandemic financial situation and assessments of building and maintenance requirements.

April 2021

Agreement Reached to Release Space for Co-working

The Working Group concluded that releasing space for co-working with the Council remaining in situ but on a reduced floorspace would be the best option in the medium term.

July 2021

Cabinet Agrees to Start Search for Partner

Cabinet agreed to start the search for a partner to deliver co-working space and reduce the overall office space occupied by the Council.

October 2021

Council Approves Budget

Full Council approved the establishment of a capital budget of up to £5m to enable the conversion of the Town Hall for co-working.