A review of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s £500 million property estate is to look at how future income can be secured, more homes created, and the climate emergency addressed.

The Guildhall in Bath
A cabinet report, being discussed by local councillors later this week, has outlined the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on B&NES Council’s income from its commercial estate, including a £6.6 million drop between April and October 2020.
Bath & North East Somerset Council is being advised of the need to “rebalance” its estate in light of changes caused by the pandemic, such as people working from home, an increase in rent arrears and businesses closing as the public shops online.
Options for redundant retail space in the city could include a change to residential use.
The report has also highlighted the Preparing for the Future” programme, which says the council will need less office space as a result of COVID-19, with many staff continuing to work flexibly.
More than 1,200 council staff have moved to home working since March 2020 and income is being gained by letting out office space no longer required in Bath.
Montagu Evans has been appointed as specialist advisers to bring forward proposals for how the council should manage its estate in the light of these changes.
Councillor Richard Samuel, cabinet member for Resources, said: “The council has extensive property holdings, both for commercial income and for operational purposes such as depots.
“We must make sure these assets are put to good use, whether that is securing reliable revenue streams to support services or providing much-needed new homes.
“I welcome this new approach to managing our assets and will consider this report carefully.
“As an important and responsible property owner we must also use out assets to ensure our areas thrive and to tackle the climate an ecological emergency.
“I am particularly pleased to see that new development or major refurbishment of buildings will put in place measures to support carbon reduction targets.”
The final report on the commercial estate is expected in January/February 2021.