Shropshire Council to sell Westgate building in Bridgnorth
Shropshire Council is to sell their Westgate building in Bridgnorth as it continues to look at making savings.
Councillors decided that remaining staff and functions at Westgate should be relocated to other council buildings in the town, and that the building should be sold.
As part of cost savings a review was carried out in consultation with all services which currently occupy the Westgate building, and services at other council buildings in Bridgnorth.
It found that the Westgate building had become significantly under-used and 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 Bridgnorth Library. This aims to bring together a wide range of information and services in a central, accessible location.
Councillor Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for resources, finance and support, said:
“The future of Westgate in Bridgnorth has been considered as part of a review which aims to ensure that the council is getting the most for customers from its funds and resources.
“With the financial pressures facing the council, we have to look at all the options to see if we can be working more efficiently, and make sure we are focusing on what makes the most difference to residents.
“There is no excuse for spending taxpayers’ money on the running and maintenance of under-occupied buildings when services can be delivered in different ways which still put the customer first.
“The sale of the building means we can save money and invest in new ways of delivering and offering access to our services.
“We have been working to ensure that staff and partners have been kept up to date and are 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.
