Closing Cheshire East HQ ‘good for the environment’

Having spent millions on its Sandbach headquarters East Council is considering closing its HQ and operating out of Crewe and Macclesfield.

The plans, outlined in a report to next week’s corporate policy committee meeting, will be subject to consultation with staff and unions.

The report states: “Even before the impact of the Covid pandemic we had acknowledged that the corporate estate was not fully utilised, with office space occupied at an average of 50 per cent capacity on a regular basis. Internal meetings were primarily face-to-face and often in several locations across the borough and beyond, which necessitated a high level of travel. These practices are not sustainable for a modern council with a diverse workforce delivering a range of council services committed to being carbon neutral by 2025.”

It says with more people working from home or hybrid working, much of the office space is no longer needed.

If the cost-cutting proposals go ahead, Delamere House in Crewe and Macclesfield Town Hall look set to become the main council buildings at a potential cost of £1.375m.

ilovemacc would suggest a figure of five times this estimate might be more appropriate.

Perhaps unsurprisingly the council says using fewer buildings would ‘benefit the environment’.

Of course, having spent astronomical sums on the redevelopment of Crewe town centre we would guess that the council’s unspoken long-term, plan is to move it’s HQ to Crewe alone – watch this space.

The report also states: “A feasibility study is being considered regarding the relocation of Macclesfield Library to the nearby town hall. However, there is much to do before this could be presented for decision.”

The report is due to be discussed by the corporate policy committee, which meets on Tuesday, July 11th, at Westfields.

Included among the many recommendations are that the committee approves progressing talks with trade unions, employees, third parties and members on an option to close the Westfield offices and, in that event, relocate staff within other areas, subject to consultation.

Another recommendation is that the committee notes that feasibility work on the option to relocate Macclesfield Library to the town hall will continue and be subject to further reporting to the economy and growth committee prior to consultation.