Shropshire Council to sell Stone House in Ludlow

The review was carried out in consultation with all services which currently occupy the offices. Shropshire Council says building has become significantly under-used and the review has shown that the running and maintenance of the building not offering good value for money for local residents.

The review found that it is possible to relocate the remaining staff and functions to other council buildings in the area, including an enhanced Customer Service Hub being created at Ludlow Library and Museum Resource Centre. This aims to bring together a wide range of information and services in a central, accessible location.

The proposal to relocate the services and sell the building was agreed this week at a Portfolio Holder Decision-Making Session.

Steph Jackson, Shropshire Council’s Head of Commercial Services, said: “In the current financial climate, maintaining under-occupied buildings is not something we can justify.

“We have to ensure that services are what people really need and don’t cost more than they should. We have to look at everything we do to ensure money is being spent where it will have the most impact and is putting customers’ needs first.

“The sale of the building – and savings from running and maintenance costs – gives us the opportunity to invest in new ways of delivering and offering access to our services.

“We have been working to ensure that staff and partners have been fully supported during this review and will continue to support our colleagues as services are relocated.”

The council will aim to relocate services by spring this year, enabling the building to be available for sale in the 2014/15 financial year.

The council will honour all bookings for ceremonies.