Wiltshire Council office axe 'to save £750k a year'

Plans to reduce the number of buildings and offices used by Wiltshire Council from 95 to four main hubs could save it £750,000 a year, the authority said.

The authority is proposing to close its Browfort offices in Devizes, the Bradley Road offices in Trowbridge, and Urchfont Manor, Urchfont.

It is also considering relocating its main customer service point in Devizes.

A meeting of the council will debate the proposals later. If agreed the plan could be implemented from September.

'Increased footfall'

A spokesman for the Conservative-led authority said the move could see millions of pounds saved which could be reinvested into services.

He added its investment in Devizes would boost the town's economy with increased footfall from customers and council workers.

Also under consideration is moving the customer service point in Trowbridge from the Bradley Road offices to County Hall.

The newly-refurbished building would include a library, registrars office and a community space.

"The council is responding to the current economic climate and the ongoing budget pressures by rationalising and modernising its property portfolio," a council spokesman said

"The focus is to deliver modern, fit for purpose buildings that meet customers' needs.

"It can no longer support costly, inefficient and unsustainable buildings that are not fit for purpose and do not provide accessible services for Wiltshire's residents," he added.