Oxford City Council sells buildings to save money

The authority is expecting big cuts in local government funding

Plans by Oxford City Council to sell 25% of its office space to save money have been approved.

On Wednesday, the council agreed the sale of its offices on Blue Boar Street and Ramsay House on St Ebbes Street.

The move is expected to raise about £5m and save £400,000 a year in running costs, as well as £1m in maintenance costs.

Employees from offices would be moved into St Aldates Chambers and the Town Hall, the council said.

'Significant cuts'

More staff would also be encouraged to work from home as a result, it added.

Council leader Bob Price said: "We are very aware that the government has announced very significant cuts in local authority grant funding, so we are trying to anticipate that by getting ahead of the game and reducing our costs substantially."

As part of the plans, St Aldates Chambers would be refurbished, costing £5m, to accommodate more staff.

A new customer service centre would also be installed.

Mr Price added that he expected the move to be complete by next year.