Halton plans to vacate Widnes HQ to save money
The council is planning to relocate many of its functions from the Municipal Building, knock it down, and sell the site, in an effort to cut costs and raise revenue.
Halton is under pressure to reduce its overheads and balance its books. The authority is currently forecast to overspend for the financial year by £1.2m, even with the help of almost £30m of exceptional financial support from the government.
At present, Halton Council spends £10m annually on its estate, according to a review by JL Property Solutions.
The review also found that the council currently has twice the amount of office space that it needs.
One way Halton is hoping to reduce costs in future is by slimming down its estate, starting with the Municipal Building.
In December, the authority approved a plan to knock down the building, constructed in the 1960s, and begin the process of marketing the site for sale.
A report to the council’s corporate and inclusion policy and performance board to be debated today states that the authority would maintain a presence in Widnes but has ruled out delivering a new headquarters “on cost grounds”.
The council’s executive board is “looking towards creating a head office type facility in one of our other buildings, which will prove a far more cost-effective solution,” the report adds.
The accommodation review is ongoing.
That should help reduce this years overspend to around £1.1m
By T.D.Smith
So in effect Widnes will no longer have a town hall, having already sold off the fantastic listed “old” town hall some time ago. A sad reflection on Halton BC and their inability to manage their budgets effectively for the benefit of their residents.
By Phil Ingham
Why dont they turn it into an HMO house of multiple occupation easier for the staff on large numbers all in one place easier to manage less staff numbers
By Donald trump
If sold, it has to provide much needed affordable housing and be managed by a local provider.
By M
Local authorities generally have prioritised staff who would prefer to stay at home whenever possible – and not wanting to upset the unions – over the value of them actually being based mostly in the places they are supposed to be serving and of teams being able to collaborate, just as the private sector is realising the office isn’t dead after all.
Also completely ignoring the economic impact of effectively removing the major employer from town centres on surrounding businesses.
It actually stops being local government when the vast majority of decisions officers make are being made in spare rooms miles away from the people and places they affect.
By Town Clerk
What’s next cancellation of the May elections
By John
As long as Halton remains in Halton, Cheshire
And Halton is not absorbed into Merseyside which would likely increase Council Tax costs and cause and create other negative issues for Halton…
By Anonymous
As long as Halton remains in Halton Cheshire and not absorbed into Merseyside which would no doubt increase Counil Tax and cause and create further negative issues
By Anonymous
On average, councils spend 78% of their budget on adult and children social care. This is a legal requirement and costs are spiralling. These percentages are even higher for deprived areas and areas with low income.
Most councils in the North West are doing the same thing just to balance the books, but it’s only a matter of time before we start to see bankruptcy.
This isn’t about an inability to manage local budgets, there just isn’t enough money coming in since funding from central government was slashed over a decade ago.
No, I don’t work Halton Council. I just choose to read and educate myself with reliable sources.
By Anonymous