Reshaping How We Manage Our Buildings and Land

17 December 2025

As part of the Council’s ongoing Reshaping Programme, we are changing the way we manage our buildings and land to ensure they are safe, compliant, well-maintained and best support the services we deliver.

Historically, responsibility for the Council’s properties has been spread across a number of teams. While this developed over time, it has meant there is no single, council-wide overview of the Council’s land and buildings, and as a result, maintenance and investment decisions have not always been well coordinated.

To address this, the Council is moving to a Corporate Landlord model. This approach – which is now common across many local authorities - brings responsibility for land and property into a single service.

As a key step in delivering this change, we are pleased to announce that Lorna Cross has been appointed as the Council’s new Head of Corporate Landlord, following approval by the Senior Management Appointments Committee.

Lorna will take up her role in early January and will lead the creation of the new Corporate Landlord Service, working with colleagues across the organisation to develop the service’s vision, structure and ways of working. Engagement and consultation with staff will form an important part of this work as the new model is put in place.

Lorna brings significant experience and expertise to this important role, and will play a central part in shaping a more coordinated, strategic approach to the Council’s property management.

The new service will help to provide a clearer understanding on roles and responsibilities for managing the Council’s buildings and land, a more planned approach to maintenance spending, a better understanding of how property supports the delivery of ourservices, more opportunities to make better use of our assets and increased potential to deliver savings.

Congratulations Lorna on your well-deserved appointment!