Harrogate Borough Council

Council look to down-size office accommodation

12 June 2013

HarrogateOptions for downsizing Harrogate Borough Council’s main office accommodation in Harrogate are to be discussed on 19 June 2013. Members of the council’s Cabinet will receive a report which identifies two options for the council to realise significant savings on its office space.

The council has been considering a range of options to reduce its office accommodation with staff currently being split over five main sites: Crescent Gardens, Springfield House, Scottsdale House, Knapping Mount and Victoria Park House.

The buildings that the council currently operate from are a variety of ages and specifications, with many requiring investment to maintain and upgrade them to meet the council’s needs. By making more efficient use of office space and options now available through the use of new technology, the council could be in a position to substantially reduce its current office space.

By operating from fewer sites the council will be able to reduce its running costs and implement new ways of working that will mean services will be delivered more efficiently, thereby helping the council to save money.

Council officers and consultants DTZ have completed an evaluation of the options available to meet the council’s office needs. As a result, council officers are recommending to the Cabinet that the most viable option would be the relocation of all office staff in Harrogate to a new build office accommodation at Knapping Mount, King’s Road, with the freehold disposal of Crescent Gardens, Scottsdale House, Victoria Park House and leasehold disposal of Springfield House.

With the second option of investing in Crescent Gardens, Scottsdale House and Springfield House with the freehold disposal of Knapping Mount and Victoria Park House.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Anthony Alton, said:

The council is continually looking at how we can reduce running costs and deliver services more effectively for less money. It is important that the buildings that the council operates from are cost effective to run and allow the council to operate as efficiently as possible. Both of these options will lead to future savings to the taxpayer rather than remaining a cost burden.

The report will be considered by Cabinet on 19 June, Overview and Scrutiny Commission on 8 July before going to the full Council on 18 July.

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