Councillor Ruth Gordon, Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Local Economy, approved the relocation of the Young Adult Services team from 48 Station Road to the Clarendon Road College building. This decision is part of a wider strategy to consolidate council services and improve cost efficiency.

Relocation of Young Adults Services from 48 Station Road

Councillor Ruth Gordon approved the procurement and tender of works for the relocation of the Young Adult Services team from 48 Station Road to the ground floor of the Clarendon Road College building N8. This move is part of the Council's broader Shaping Wood Green Strategy which aims to decommission and vacate several council buildings, including 48 Station Road, to achieve cost efficiencies and maximise the utilisation of existing assets.

The Young Adult Services team, which supports young people aged 16-25 and care leavers up to 25, currently operates from 48 Station Road. The relocation to Clarendon Road College will provide appropriate accommodation for the team, which comprises 60 staff members with an additional six to be recruited. The first floor of the Clarendon Road College building will be occupied by the Parking and Civil Enforcement team.

The decision was made after consultation with the Young Adult Services team, who contributed to the redesign and reconfiguration of the ground floor space. The Finance team has also been consulted and is satisfied with the prudent nature of the proposal, which is expected to save the Council money on building costs.

Reasons for the decision included achieving cost efficiency by decommissioning operationally expensive buildings, maximising operational efficiency through a centralised location, sustainably re-purposing existing buildings, and contributing to the Council's commitment to decarbonise.

Alternative options considered included doing nothing, which would have maintained high operational costs at 48 Station Road and hindered the Shaping Wood Green Strategy . Another option, relocating to 10 Bruce Grove, was discounted due to significant structural works required, estimated at £385,000, and its less central location.

The relocation is expected to ensure the vacant possession of 48 Station Road, aligning with the Shaping Wood Green Strategy as other services in occupation will be moving to the Civic Centre. The project aligns with the Council's Accommodation Strategy , the Wood Green Central Programme , and the Corporate Delivery Plan priority to decarbonise. The estimated refurbishment budget for the relocation is £1,200,000, funded from the approved General Fund capital programme. The running costs for Clarendon Road are estimated at £68,431.32, compared to £311,000 for 48 Station Road.

The decision was documented in the Printed minutes 12th-Mar-2026 10.30 Cabinet Member Signing and the Public reports pack 12th-Mar-2026 10.30 Cabinet Member Signing.