‘Estate needs to be fit for future’: Deputy leader defends plans to sell off council buildings
The proposed policy could see 150 properties sold by 2029
Wakefield Council’s deputy leader said the authority’s plans to sell more public buildings across the district would help deliver a property estate that is “fit for the future.”
Senior councillors are expected next week to agree to proposals to “accelerate and streamline” disposals from the authority’s portfolio of more than 1,600 assets.
Adopting the new policy could see up 150 council-owned properties sold by December 2028.
Defending the scheme, John Thomas, who is also the council’s cabinet member for resources and property, said: “We need to invest money properly into the buildings and facilities that deliver high-quality public services for our residents.
“For too long, the council has retained hundreds of assets with no clear plan for what we’re going to do with this vast estate.
“Local taxpayers want to know that every penny of money the council spends makes a difference to their lives, not that it’s wasted on maintaining buildings we don’t need anymore.
“We’re taking decisive action to sell buildings that have reached the end of their life, are no longer fit for purpose, or simply do not offer good value for money.”
According to report, feasibility work is already taking place on the potential disposals of Pontefract Municipal Offices, Castleford’s Five Towns Resource Centre, Normanton Block C office building and Queens House, in Wakefield city centre.
The council currently holds 1,680 assets across the district, covering over 35m square metres – the equivalent of almost 5,000 football pitches.
They include historic buildings, libraries, leisure centres, museums, modern office accommodation and development sites.
Around 6.7% of the entire portfolio – 113 properties – is currently categorised as vacant.
In July, the Reform-led council agreed to replace the roof and carry out repairs at Wakefield’s County Hall at a cost of £14m.
At the time, council leaders criticised the previous Labour administration for delays in repairing the Grade I-listed building, which caused the costs to more than double.
Coun Thomas added: “There won’t be any more dither and delay.
“We’ve seen from the deterioration of County Hall what a big impact inaction can have on our budget.
“We’re going to make decisive decisions so that our estate is fit for the future and use any money we generate to reinvest in the services that matter most to our communities.”
The council’s cabinet will consider the report at a meeting on September 22.