Rutland County Council Reviewing Building Use for Efficiency and Investment
Rutland County Council is exploring how to use its buildings more effectively.
Their goals are to:
Improve services: By making their buildings better suited to their needs.
Save money: By reducing running costs.
Invest in the local economy: By potentially repurposing buildings for community benefit.
The Council already has a plan to manage their properties efficiently. Now, they're focusing on seven specific buildings to see if they can be adapted or used differently.
Catmose House, Museum & Register Office
On April 16th, the Council will consider two options for these key buildings:
Combined Civic Center: Relocate Council offices, the Council Chamber, and staff alongside the Museum, creating a new central hub.
Refurbished Catmose House: Concentrate main offices in the newer part of Catmose House with significant upgrades.
Both options involve investing in the Rutland County Museum, preserving its historical and community value.
Challenges and Considerations
These key buildings are:
Listed: Making them expensive to maintain and not ideal for modern use.
Valued: They hold historical significance for the community.
The Council wants to find solutions that:
Improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Safeguard the Museum and its collection.
This initial exploration will be followed by detailed proposals for further consideration.
Looking Beyond
The Council is also developing long-term plans for other properties, including:
Oakham Enterprise Park & The King Centre: Both are at or near capacity and support local businesses.
Ashwell Transport Depot: Damaged by flooding and will be replaced.
Investing for the Future
The Council believes strategic investments in their properties can:
Enhance resident services.
Improve financial sustainability.
They encourage residents to follow the progress of this exciting initiative.
Further Information
The full report (excluding commercially sensitive details) is available online, along with details on attending the April Cabinet meeting virtually.
