Newport City Council’s Cabinet will be asked to agree the strategic principle of relocating the council’s main office functions from the Civic Centre and to authorise more detailed work on alternative accommodation.
The proposal follows an initial independent review, which found that the Civic Centre is considerably larger than the council requires and would need substantial investment if it were to stay as its main operational base.
According to the council, the initial estimate for bringing occupied areas of the Civic Centre to a suitable standard is approximately £102 million, while alternative accommodation options assessed to date range from approximately £26 million to £81 million. The council said these figures are comparative estimates, not approved budgets.
The building has a floor area of approximately 24,000 square metres, with average daily occupancy of approximately 270 users.
Cabinet is not being asked to approve a particular building, location or final relocation budget, or the sale or disposal of the Civic Centre. There would be no immediate change to where staff work, and the proposal does not change any individual’s role or employment status.
No decision is being made at this stage on whether democratic and civic functions should remain at the Civic Centre or on the building’s long-term future. The council said these matters would require further assessment, engagement and a future decision by cabinet.
Councillor Dimitri Batrouni, Leader of Newport City Council, said: “The Civic Centre is an important civic and heritage asset, and we recognise the strength of public feeling about its future.
“However, we also have a responsibility to ensure that our buildings support effective services and represent a sustainable use of public resources. The independent evidence shows that the Civic Centre is much larger than we now need and would require significant investment.
“Cabinet is being asked whether that evidence justifies taking relocation options to the next level of detail. This is not a decision about where the council would move, nor is it a final decision about what will happen to the Civic Centre.
“Any future options would need to be assessed carefully against the needs of residents and services, accessibility, staff wellbeing, capacity, cost, sustainability, technology, security and travel.
“Protecting the Civic Centre’s civic significance and establishing a viable and sustainable future for the building would remain central to the next phase of work.”
The Grade II* listed Civic Centre contains heritage features including the Hans Feibusch murals and continues to accommodate democratic and ceremonial functions. The council said relocating its main office functions would not mean abandoning the building, and that its listed status and heritage features would be protected and considered throughout the work.
Elected members, recognised trade unions, heritage and accessibility stakeholders, partners, residents and other interested parties would have opportunities to contribute as options are developed, before any final recommendation returns to cabinet for approval.
Cabinet will consider the report at its meeting on Wednesday 14 October.
