Cheshire East Council has decided to to close its Westfields HQ in Sandbach, with staff being relocated to Crewe and Macclesfield.

The council's corporate policy committee voted unanimously on Thursday 30 November to close the Middlewich Road building to save money.

No date has been given for the closure but, during the debate, council leader Sam Corcoran (Labour), said: "If this decision is taken, I would want the re-purposing of the building to be carried out as swiftly as possible in order to realise the savings and potentially generate a new income stream or a new capital receipt."

Cheshire East Council's corporate policy committee voted unanimously on Thursday 30 November to close its Middlewich Road HQ in Sandbach to save money (Nub News).

The cash-strapped council is facing an £18.7m budget shortfall and needs to reduce costs across all services.

With many staff working from home, it no longer needs so much office space.

Staff currently working at Westfields will be relocated to Delamere House in Crewe town centre, which has undergone a major refurbishment.

A number of staff will also be relocated to Macclesfield Town Hall.

Following today's decision, the head of HR, together with the head of democratic services, will continue talks with trade unions and employees.

Staff currently working at Westfields will be relocated to Delamere House in Crewe town centre, which has undergone a major refurbishment this year, as well as Macclesfield Town Hall (Ryan Parker).

The council estimates it will cost nearly £2.2m to close the Sandbach offices, relocate staff and equipment and refurbish the buildings they will move into.

Director of finance, Alex Thompson stressed it was not possible to say when Westfields would close.

He said: "I wouldn't give a specific timescale, that would be subject to the further consultation, it will also be subject to the options appraisal on what we do with the site."

"We have already got investment from government funding that has helped us improve the facilities at Delamere House.

Cheshire East deputy leader, Craig Browne (Independent), proposed the recommendation to approve the option to close the Westfields offices (Cheshire East Council).

"We would be putting in improved furniture and improved facilities for staff, making better use of the space so there's no waste in both Delamere House and Macclesfield Town Hall."

Deputy council leader Craig Browne (Independent), proposed the recommendation to approve the option to close the Westfields offices.

He said: "The report also illustrates how it's possible for us to meet our occupancy requirements with two principle buildings at Macclesfield and Delamere House.

"Personally [for Westfields], I would prefer a re-purposing or a leasehold arrangement so that we both retain control, but also have a future revenue generation stream, but that's not the question we're being asked to make today.

Delamere House' major refurbishment is almost complete, with Cheshire East Council HQ staff set to relocate to it (Nub News).

"The decision that comes first is do we need to close and I think, all things being equal, we do."

The proposal was seconded by Cllr Jill Rhodes (Crewe, Labour), and the vote was unanimous.

READ MORE: Property of the Week: Refurbished two-bed apartment in popular village.

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