After years in the same offices, Colchester Council is undergoing a major reshuffle to the tune of £300,000.

Reports outlining the moving, refurbishing and even selling off of some of the council's offices were presented to the overview and scrutiny panel last night

And plans are already under way to refurbish Angel Court, fit out Rowan House, vacate and begin hiring out the town hall and sell off East Lodge.

And although councillors will benefit by being given their own offices for the very first time, they were quick to ask exactly why the reshuffle has been ordered.

Chairman of the meeting, Christopher Arnold, (Con, Fordham and Stour), asked: "There remains a curiosity as to why the council is embarking on this now when we have a lot of other activities going on?"

Kevin Bentley, portfolio holder for assets and support services, who is putting the plans in action, told the panel: "This will affect everyone, from the councillors to the people who contact the council and it is an extremely good deal for the people of Colchester."

He said the moves and improvements will be funded, for the first five years, by the council's capital revenue fund of £1.8million, but after that the money must come from somewhere else.

Mike Crouch, the council officer who drew up the report, said: "By using that capital revenue it will not have an impact on council tax for the first five years."

But he added that the £300,000 needed is equivalent to a four per cent rise in council tax.

Published Wednesday January 14, 2004

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