Reviewer who recommended Shrewsbury Shirehall be sold 'did not visit site'

The person who carried out a review of Shirehall in Shrewsbury did not visit the site.

Chris Buss, of Darenace Ltd, was commissioned by the council's Section 151 officer, Duncan Whitfield, to carry out an independent review of the Abbey Foregate building.

He recommended that the site should be sold, which was approved by Cabinet on Tuesday (July 14).

Mr Buss added that previously considered options, including council-led redevelopment, affordable housing-led redevelopment, mixed-use redevelopment and joint venture approaches, are unlikely to meet the council’s immediate financial requirements.

Formerly Shropshire Council's headquarters, Shirehall currently costs the local authority an estimated £400,000 a year.

Therefore due to its current financial position, the Liberal Democrat-led administration agree that the best viable option is to put it to market.

Its preference is for the site to be used for housing, including both private and affordable homes, subject to planning consent, while achieving the earliest and best return for the council.

Councillor Heather Kidd, the leader of Shropshire Council, said the purpose of the review was to consider the decision-making to date. This, she said, was based on published council documents, and to advise on the options available to the council going forward.

"Mr Buss did not visit Shropshire as part of this review," said Councillor Kidd.

"A site visit was not required for the scope of the work he was asked to undertake, which focused on the council’s documented decision-making, financial position and future options rather than a fresh technical survey of the building.

"His review was informed by the key documents listed at appendix A of the Cabinet report, the council’s current financial circumstances, and his considerable experience in local government finance, regeneration and housing projects. He has also previously visited Shirehall as part of a separate review some years ago and is aware of the site.

"Draft reports were shared with the s151 officer for factual checking.

"Mr Buss also provided briefings to Cabinet before the report was finalised by officers, and to members of the Task and Finish Group ahead of the Cabinet meeting. Separate briefings to political groups were provided by officers."

Prior to the meeting, the council received correspondence from Kevin McCloud, who presents the Channel 4 show Grand Designs.

Mr McCloud said Shirehall is an iconic resilient building in good condition, "so it absolutely deserves to be considered for re-use by the council as its headquarters.”

In response, Councillor Kidd said: "We recognise the strength of feeling about Shirehall and the importance of considering the site’s future carefully.

"However, the council’s position remains unchanged. This has been a difficult decision, but it is the responsible one given the council’s financial position."

A marketing prospectus will now be prepared and brought back to Cabinet for agreement in the autumn. It will set out the site boundary, relevant planning considerations, valuation information, and the council’s preferred approach to taking the site to market.