Issue - meetings
New Ways of Working and the New Town Hall
Meeting: 22/03/2021 - Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Item 8)
8 Town Hall - Impact on Assets/LBTH Estate; Financing, Capacity PDF 36 KB
The Committee will undertake a review the progress on the plans for the New Town Hall and how this is being delivered.
Additional documents:
- OS NTH Spotlight presentation 22 March 2021v2, item 8 PDF 3 MB
- Webcast for Town Hall - Impact on Assets/LBTH Estate; Financing, Capacity
Minutes:
The Committee considered a presentation that reviewed the progress on the plans for the New Town Hall and how this is being delivered. The presentation covered (i) financing of the project; (ii) changing “the way we work”; and (iii) “Resident Hub” and the “Local Presence” The Chair welcomed Mayor Biggs; Ann Sutcliffe (Corporate Director for Place); Yasmin Ali Project Director and Sarah Steer Project Manager (Town Hall Project) to tonight’s meeting. The key themes arising from the questioning on the presentation may be summarised as follows:
v Was advised that the funding for the project comes primarily from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) which operates under a policy framework set by HM Treasury and ensures that lending to local government complies with statute. Also borrowing from the PWLB is very straightforward and at a very low rate of interest.
v Observed that the new civic centre will make full use of its location in the most accessible part of Tower Hamlets. It will be served by four different train and tube lines including Crossrail, along with well-used bus and cycle routes. The building has been designed to be more than just an office for council staff.
v Was reminded that the business case for this project it had been demonstrated that it was better value for money than renting a building elsewhere or extending tenancy agreement for Mulberry Place and that in spite of being subject to a further review in the light of the different financing options becoming available it still is the most viable method of financing the project.
v Noted that it is being constructed on the site of the former Royal London Hospital building, the new civic centre will provide 26,700m2 of civic space, with the ground floor designed for public use. In addition, LBTH will be welcoming partner organisations to co-locate in the building, which will enable residents to be served by a diverse range of services from one site.
v Noted that the entire ground floor of the new civic centre will be dedicated to public use. A new Idea Store that will include supported access to a full range of council services alongside books, a café, drop in space and new public square.
v Expressed concern that as the new civic centre has been designed to be more than just an office for council staff how will this impact on the future of the libraries and arts provision in Whitechapel for example given its close proximity to the London Hospital site on the Whitechapel Idea Store. Especially as this was a trusted space where residents are able to explore and share reading, information, and knowledge. In response it was noted that the Whitechapel Ideas Store was to be re-developed into part of a learning campus with a stronger focus on learning, skills and supporting residents into work.
v Noted in response that the intention of the Council regarding cultural and creative enrichment in the ... view the full minutes text for item 8