Khan stands his ground on GLA HQ move
London mayor Sadiq Khan has argued that the case for relocating the Greater London Assembly to the Royal Docks has only “strengthened” since it was last discussed, amid ongoing backlash against the move.
Khan also reiterated claims that he would have to consider cuts to the Metropolitan Police, fire service and youth services among others, to make up the equivalent savings generated by the relocation.
Speaking at a GLA oversight committee meeting on 7 October, Khan outlined that potential savings from the relocation to The Crystal, E16 – an empty building that the GLA owns – have increased by 7.3% to £59m from £55m.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has argued that the case for relocating the Greater London Assembly to the Royal Docks has only “strengthened” since it was last discussed, amid ongoing backlash against the move.
Khan also reiterated claims that he would have to consider cuts to the Metropolitan Police, fire service and youth services among others, to make up the equivalent savings generated by the relocation.
Speaking at a GLA oversight committee meeting on 7 October, Khan outlined that potential savings from the relocation to The Crystal, E16 – an empty building that the GLA owns – have increased by 7.3% to £59m from £55m.
The upfront cost of getting the property ready to accommodate City Hall has increased to £13.6m, from £8m.
However, it was stressed that those costs would be recouped “very quickly”.
Additionally, the GLA has spent around £60,000 so far on assessing the relocation. It is facing a budget shortfall of £493m over the next two years.
London Assembly member Susan Hall accused Khan of having already made up his mind on the relocation.
Members also raised concerns over what were perceived as “muddled” figures, but Mary Harpley, chief officer of the GLA, attributed this to the “evolving situation” as the body progresses with its findings.
Khan said that by “sacrificing a palatial office” by Tower Bridge for a smaller one in east London, Londoners “would think of us more highly than if we’re seen choosing to stay here at a cost of £55- plus”.
Khan said he also believed that relocating City Hall to the Royal Docks would only benefit the area. “I’m confident [that] us being there is better for regeneration than us not being there,” he added.
“Having the office of mayor in such an area does lead to greater footfall and greater activity, and a cache that an area without the office of mayor wouldn’t have.”
Harpley said the move would rely on people working more from home, so that its location within The Crystal can house all of its staff, alongside its retained presence on Union Street.
She pointed to an internal employee survey in which 62% of staff indicated that they would like to work from home for three days or more per week, while 29% preferred two or three days per week. Only 3% stated they never wanted to work from home.
The decision on the relocation is due by the end of the month.
The meeting followed the launch of a public consultation on changes to The Crystal Building to enable the GLA to be relocated to it next summer, if Khan decides to proceed.
Alongside this, negotiations on its current home by Tower Bridge are still ongoing between the GLA, advised by Avison Young, and its current landlord, Kuwaiti-backed St Martin’s Property Group, represented by Knight Frank. Two offers, each improving on the GLA’s current leasing terms, have been made.
The London Assembly formally objected to the proposed move in August. It raised concerns in July about relocating from Tower Bridge, where it has been since 2001.
Image © Omar Marques/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
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