Row over week's notice for work-from-home switch

Liberal Democrat co-leader Heather Kidd said the move was an indication the council was in "a worse mess than we thought"

Opposition groups and unions have criticised a council for ordering staff out of its headquarters to work at home with one week's notice.

Conservative-run Shropshire Council announced the move on Friday, citing an attempt to save £100,000 in running costs during the winter and help meet a huge savings target.

Staff were told to start working from home by the end of this week.

Liberal Democrat co-leader Heather Kidd said: "It just looks like panic. We all knew we're going to move, but the building we're moving to isn't ready. So why do you do that unless the council is in a worse mess than we thought?"

She said the move came when morale was already low because of an ongoing redundancy programme, and would mean "team working is virtually out of the window".

Announcing the move last week, leader Lezley Picton said: "These urgent steps reflect the need for action now to reduce our spend in-year, and these measures alone will save around £100,000 this winter through lower heating, lighting and cleaning costs."

The long-term plan is for staff to move into the smaller Guildhall building in Frankwell, but that site is not yet ready.

The authority has been lobbying for extra money in chancellor Rachel Reeves' first Budget on Wednesday.

The council leader has warned it is "unbelievably close" to declaring itself effectively bankrupt - that is, issuing a Section 114 notice like nearby Birmingham.

However, in setting the context for the Budget, the government has been clear that money will remain tight for public sector organisations.

The public service union Unison said its members were told of the move in an all-staff email, which had come as a "shock" to many.

Branch secretary Ash Silverstone added: "Staff care desperately about the services they provide.

"They deserve recognition and appreciation for the invaluable job they do, not more uncertainty."

The leader of the authority's Labour group, Rosemary Dartnall, said: "Shifting everyone’s work setting in this panicked manner must leave everyone reeling and wondering what is coming next."