Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Head of Assets.

The committee considered a report of the Strategic Director Places regarding a programme to rationalise Council Depots in Cheshire East.

The Council had inherited depots from the three former Borough Councils and

the County Council. Many of the depots were in the wrong locations, were too

small and had buildings in poor condition and did not meet current and

future operational requirements. Efficiencies could be achieved by

amalgamating operations into a reduced number of large depots

A review had commenced to evaluate future options for all depots used for

Cheshire East business. This included Council owned sites used by external

contractors. The review also included sites outside Cheshire East boundaries

which were used in relation to Cheshire East vehicles.

All property implications arising from this review would be taken forward and

resolved as part of the wider Corporate Asset Challenge programme.

The purpose and vision of the review was to:

• Evaluate future options for all depots used for Cheshire East business. This

included Council owned sites used by external contractors.

• Decommission depots that did not meet current and future business needs

within a phased plan

• Explore opportunities for capital receipts and revenue reductions

• Move the Council towards its vision of 2 super depots in Crewe and

Macclesfield

• Ensure that there was the capacity to meet all operational needs during the

transition process

• Rationalise stock held at sites

Expected outcomes of the review were:

• A reduction in the number of operational depots

• Opportunities for alternative uses for surplus depots

• Revenue budget reductions

• Capital receipts from land sales

• Capital receipts from the sale of surplus equipment

• Increase in operational efficiencies

Analysis of the findings and evaluation of options would take place during Dec 2010 –January 2011.

RESOLVED – That the report be received and the Strategic Director Places be requested to provide regular updates on the depot rationalisation project to this committee.