Proposed decision:
The Deputy Leader to:
Revisit, Review and Determine the future of KCC Strategic Headquarters (SHQ) arrangements including Sessions House and Invicta House and associated investment and/or disposal options
Reason for the decision
- Following a change in administration and confirmation of the indicative Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) timetable, the Administration intends to reconsider the current property strategy relating to KCC Strategic Headquarters (SHQ). The outcome of the review will support a decision to either continue as per the original decision or progress with an alternative option.
Background
- The property strategy in relation to KCC’s SHQ has been discussed and considered over a number of years with decision 24/00100 having been taken by the previous Administration. That decision is currently in the implementation phase. The implementation of the project is reaching a critical stage where KCC would need to enter into contracts for the works to Invicta House and progress the disposal of Sessions House.
- Given the imminent contracts that KCC would be required to enter into would involve committing the Council to significant expenditure, the Administration intends to review the decision and consider an alternative of maintaining a presence in Sessions House and the disposal of Invicta House. As part of this, the Administration will consider both these options against:
Both the current option and alternatives will have different financial and operational opportunities and challenges that will be explored within future, more detailed, reporting as part of the relevant decision-making processes.
Options (other options considered but discarded)
Alternative options have been considered and are detailed within the updated and previous Business Case. The previous options that have been considered include:
How the proposed decision supports the Framing Kent's Future - Our Council Strategy 2022-2026
Detailed assessment of this will feature within future decision documentation, following further consideration of the key information. The Administration will assess the strategic value of maintaining different SHQ arrangements than those currently approved in accordance with relevant aspects of the Council’s Strategic Statement.
How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022 -2026: Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery Strategy.pdf
The Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee report, the options appraisal and any decision-making documentation will consider alignment with the Strategic Statement and the Council’s Best Value obligations.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: Item Called In
Notice of proposed decision first published: 12/08/2025
Anticipated restriction: Part exempt - View reasons
Decision due: Not before 10th Sep 2025 by Deputy Leader of the Council
Reason: To allow 28 day notice period required under Executive Decision regulations
Lead member: Deputy Leader of the Council
Lead director: Rebecca Spore
Department: Strategic & Corporate Services
Contact: Joanne Taylor, Head of Capital Email: joanne.taylor@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
Public consultation undertaken:
No formal public consultation.
Reports were taken to the following Committees:
Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee, 11 September 2020
Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee, 6 November 2020
Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee, 13 July 2021
Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee, 24March 2022
Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee, 23 November 2022
Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee, 26 July 2023
Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee, 27 November 2024
The proposed decision was considered and endorsed by Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee on 10 September 2025.
Which Divisions/Local Members are particularly affected:
County-wide - The proposals affect all divisions of the Council.
Have views been sought from local Members?
Previous consultation and discussions have taken place at multiple meetings of the Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee. A cross-party member working group also met between January and March 2025 to consider member accommodation.
Financial implications: The options appraisal will consider the revenue and capital implications of the current option 24/00100 compared to the alternative option of maintaining an ongoing presence in Sessions House and options regarding the disposal of Invicta House. The current approach, already in implementation phase, including associated funding assumptions are built into the current Medium Term Financial plan (MTFP). It is likely that the financial/commercial assessments will be commercially sensitive and will be in an exempt section of the report. Any decision to progress alternative arrangements than those approved by decision 24/00100 will require reconsideration of the budget and MTFP as part of the 2026/27 budget setting process.
Legal implications: The decision will require contracts and legal documents to be entered into. External legal advice will be sought as directed by the Office of General Counsel on required information.
Equalities implications: Equalities implications: The original Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) for the extant SHQ decision considers the relevant implications. As the review progresses, any alternative proposals will be fully scoped from an EqIA perspective to ensure compliance with statutory obligations. Data Protection implications: A Data Protection Implication Assessment (DPIA) will be undertaken and the existing assessment for the current policy will be kept under review during the development of any alternative proposals.