£7m investment to boost council buildings and services

A £7.4m investment is set to be approved next week to progress plans that will bring more council services into cost-effective, energy-efficient buildings.

The proposals aim to reduce the number of offices, create carbon-neutral spaces, generate income through leasing, and co-locate with other public organisations, all while saving taxpayers’ money.

As part of the plans, a specialist commercial agent will be appointed to advise on the future use of County Hall, the council’s current headquarters.

The annex building on the site is earmarked for demolition to cut maintenance costs and increase the site’s long-term value, with early estimates for the demolition of around £2.5m.

Many council staff are set to relocate to Trent Bridge House in West Bridgford by 2025, requiring essential works costing around £500,000.

The council’s new low-carbon office at Oak House in Hucknall, which is on track for completion by spring 2025, will also need an additional £888,000 due to inflation and more complex groundwork.

The Oak House project is being managed by Arc Partnership and built by Morgan Sindall Construction, with a target to spend 86% of the budget locally.

Local businesses, such as Hucknall-based R&R Joinery Services, are also contributing to the project, installing interior fixtures.

Richard Allen, managing director, said: “Our two owners were born and raised in Hucknall, so the opportunity to be part of this project, providing a great new workspace for Nottinghamshire County Council has been fantastic. This project is our first with Morgan Sindall, which has expanded our client base and will allow us to grow and take on an apprentice in the coming six months.”