Leicestershire County Council to close branch offices

A plan to save £850,000 a year will result in 22 Leicestershire County Council branch offices being closed.

The authority said it would refurbish County Hall and other buildings to increase capacity and accommodate more staff by using space more efficiently.

Savings on branch office maintenance and lease charges will cover initial costs and then deliver the annual savings, it added.

The council is looking to save £82m over the next four years.

A spokesman said old offices and partitions within County Hall would be removed to create an open-plan layout.

"Hot desking" would mean seven desks for every 10 members of staff.

He added that low energy lighting, with motion sensors, is expected to cut the lighting energy bill by up to 75%.

Up to 1,000 posts are expected to go at the council over the next four years.