FENLAND: County council buildings in March and Wisbech come under the spotlight
COUNTY council buildings in Wisbech and March are being looked as part of a radical overhaul of assets which could lead to cost savings. The buildings range from the social services office, a warehouse in West Street, and the Queen Mary Centre- all in Wis
COUNTY council buildings in Wisbech and March are being looked as part of a radical overhaul of assets which could lead to cost savings.
The buildings range from the social services office, a warehouse in West Street, and the Queen Mary Centre- all in Wisbech- to a students support centre in March.
The proposals are outlined in a report from Nick Dawes, director of finance, property and procurement, which highlights other buildings across Cambridgeshire to be included in the re-think.
The council's Shire Hall headquarters, which are expected to cost �4.5 million in maintenance charges in the coming year, will also be considered for possible cost savings.
You may also want to watch:
Mr Dawes has summarised a working party's study into county council assets which pinpoint eight major cost saving projects affecting large chunks of properties used by the council.
In Fenland the council plans to make better use of existing space and this could mean possibly extending their local headquarters, Hereward Hall.
Most Read
- 1 Pervert filmed himself having sex with girl, 14, and then shared video online
- 2 Prison sentence for man who brutally attacked his partner
- 3 Man arrested on suspicion of murder after death of woman in her 70s
- 4 Defeated mayor on 'incredible' and 'some truly awful' people he met
- 5 Two boys, aged 12 and 14, arrested after 3am service station burglary
- 6 Epic escape fail for ‘armed thieves’ who crashed car into ditch
- 7 Police forensics team begin search after death of woman in her 70s
- 8 Food delivery service Deliveroo launches in ‘next couple of months’
- 9 ‘This is not a puppy farm’ says breeder in response to planning objections
- 10 'Disbelief’ for disability centre after staff member’s scooter is stolen
Mr Dawes believes the proposals for Wisbech could provide scope for a major regeneration project and at the same time providing substantial restructuring of services.
"This may include both customer-facing services and back office functions," he says.
Councillors will be advised this week not to slow down the programme because of the economic down turn.
BUPA has the potential to "contribute more widely to the local economy," says Mr Dawes. "The divestment of property by the council and subsequent reinvestment in construction projects will provide a steady stream of work for hard hit local construction and support trades.
"As a large local investor in property, the better use of council owned property must include an acknowledgement of our responsibility to generate employment in difficult times.
