Council to close HQ and move some staff to Macc
CHESHIRE East Council is to press ahead with plans to close its headquarters at Sandbach and move some staff to Macclesfield.
The corporate policy committee voted unanimously on Thursday, November 30, to close the Westfields building to save money.
No date has been given for the closure but council leader Sam Corcoran said: “If this decision is taken, I would want the re-purposing of the building to be carried out as swiftly as possible in order to realise the savings and potentially generate a new income stream or a new capital receipt.”
The cash-strapped council is facing an £18.7m budget shortfall and needs to reduce costs across all services.
With many staff working from home, it no longer needs so much office space.
Staff currently working at Westfields will be relocated to Delamere House in Crewe or Macclesfield Town Hall and, following the decision, the head of HR, together with the head of democratic services, will continue talks with trade unions and employees.
The council estimates it will cost nearly £2.2m to close the Sandbach offices, relocate staff and equipment and refurbish the buildings they will move into.
Director of finance Alex Thompson said: “I wouldn’t give a specific timescale, that would be subject to the further consultation.
“It will also be subject to the options appraisal on what we do with the site.
“We would be putting in improved furniture and improved facilities for staff, making better use of the space so there’s no waste in both Delamere House and Macclesfield Town Hall.”
Deputy council leader Craig Browne proposed the recommendation to approve the option to close the Westfields offices.
He said alternatives had been considered but they wouldn’t realise the savings which need to be made.
“The report also illustrates how it’s possible for us to meet our occupancy requirements with two principle buildings at Macclesfield and Delamere House,” said Cllr Browne.
“Personally [for Westfields] I would prefer a re-purposing or a leasehold arrangement so that we both retain control but also have a future revenue generation stream, but that’s not the question we’re being asked to make today. The decision that comes first is do we need to close and I think, all things being equal, we do.”