Decision details

(1) That the capital project to refurbish the ground floor of Jack Judge House, Oldbury, to accommodate the needs of the Black Country Coroner Service (BCCS) and utilise the building solely as a commercial asset, be approved.

(2) That the Director of Regeneration & Growth be authorised to carryout capital project refurbishment works to the ground floor of Jack Judge House on financial terms as set out by the Director of Finance.

(3) That the Director – Monitoring Officer, Law and Governance be authorised to enter into appropriate agreements with potential tenants on terms and conditions to be set out by the Director Regeneration & Growth within the constraints of the Cabinet Members delegated authority.

To support the much-needed expansion of the Black Country Coroners Service (BCCS) to manage an expected increase in both volume and complexity of cases that will fall into the BCCS’s jurisdiction. In addition to maximise the use of council owned assets by reutilising council operational office space, no longer required for service delivery, to generate a commercial income in support of continuing budget pressures.

The Council has considered all its venues in support of a more expansive BCCS provision. Currently there are no opportunities within the council’s asset portfolio to provide the expanded space requirements for BCCS. In addition, the proposed changes to the ground floor at JJH will build on the existing court and office space and therefore provides a better value for money solution.