News

Council slashes number of offices to cut costs and prepare for regeneration

By Becky Barnes
March 07, 2013

Three borough council offices will be slashed to two as part of the town’s regeneration and work to cut running costs.

Bracknell Forest Council will move staff from Seymour House, in Broadway, to Ocean House, in The Ring, this month while it invests £3 million on accommodation works at its Time Square offices, in Market Street.

Alison Sanders, director of corporate services, said: “The £3 million has been allocated in the budget for next year for refurbishment work at Time Square to allow the building to accommodate more staff.

“This will reduce the number of buildings we occupy and help progress town centre regeneration by releasing Seymour House.

“The work will be funded through the eventual release of two town centre buildings and the subsequent reduction in running costs, together with a £1.1 million contribution from the council’s available balances.

“At the end of the works the council will have only two town centre offices – Time Square and Easthampstead House.

“We hope the work can start in June and anticipate it to be completed in autumn 2014.”

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I find it hard to understand why we are having to pay for temporary accommadation for these people. I can understand the general populace being treated with disdain and not kept informed of the regeneration timeline but it beggars belief when they are not even keeping themselves informed.

It is particularly galling when they give out a press release patting themselves on the back for saving money. Do they think we are as stupid as they are or do they really believe their own propaganda?

timespassing
07/03/2013 at 22:07

Yes, the fundamental problem with the mindset of the "Empire builders" within the local authority, is that too many of them believe they have a bottomless pit of money and so, far too many of them act like drunken sailors on shore leave or a giddy aunt with a box of confettii at a wedding.

Tonk, Wokingham
07/03/2013 at 19:20

As there doesn’t appear to be any job losses, why the hell haven’t they amalgamated the 3 offices before now to save the tax payer money? I bet they could probably put all 3 into one if they really tried. Makes me SO mad.