£250,000 project to cut council property and land portfolio

COUNCILLORS gave the thumbs-up to a new scheme to cut the council’s property portfolio.

A team, led by a project manager earning £65,000 a year, will now be set up to turn the spotlight on all council buildings.

Those which are not needed will be sold, and the possibility of the council sharing offices with other organisations, such as the police, will be explored.

Oldham’s council cabinet last night agreed a three-year project, which will cost the council £250,000 but is expected to save £350,000 in its first year.

The council has a range of empty and under-used properties, with 1,150 properties in use, such as schools and offices, a further 500 investment and regeneration assets, extensive freehold interests and a number of small plots of open space and land on highways.

The team will first target unused properties and champion change to release under-used buildings by bringing offices together.

Its plans for the three years include vacating the ground and second floors of Meadowbank in Tweedale Way, and relocating Unity staff from the civic centre to Henshaw House.

Offices above drop-in centres will be mothballed, and obsolete and dangerous buildings will be demolished. Grazing land will be sold, and the team will review the letting terms at Acorn Centre, Falcon Centre, Southlink and Henshaw House in anticipation of future disposal.