Staff told to leave Shirehall

Staff and councillors have been told they will have to leave the Shirehall from next week as cash-strapped Shropshire Council looks to save more money.

Council leader, Lezley Picton emailed all members late on Thursday night (October 24) telling them that the Shirehall will be closed to all staff from next Friday (November 1).

This, she said, means that all staff who use Shirehall will need to work from home until space becomes available at the Guildhall in the next few weeks.

Temporary sites in Bridgnorth and Oswestry will also be closing in November.

Cllr Picton said the decision will save around £100,000 this winter due to lower heating, lighting and cleaning costs as it bids to make savings of £62 million this year.

“This is a temporary measure, accelerating our plans to move which we announced last month, and mirrors steps we took so successfully during the pandemic,” said Cllr Picton.

“There are a small number of statutory functions we must maintain at Shirehall, such as the Registrars Services START, children’s compass and assessment team, and staff who work with individuals at risk, until these can move to the Guildhall.

“Some tenants who use the Shirehall will also remain but vacating the space we currently use will allow us to relocate these to other areas and shut down many parts of the building.

“There will be separate communications about any meetings booked for members at the Shirehall over the next few weeks. These will be accommodated appropriately and will naturally depend on the availability of rooms at the Guildhall.”

“The Guildhall at Frankwell has now been vacated by UCS and the first council teams will start moving across from November, allowing us to start the decommissioning of Shirehall.

Cllr Picton added that the council will also be closing the temporary bases at Canteen Brook and Innage Lane in Bridgnorth, and Victoria Road in Oswestry from Friday, November 15.

“We will continue to look across all our buildings for further opportunities to reduce costs and expect further changes to be announced shortly,” said Cllr Picton.

It is understood that Andy Begley, chief executive of Shropshire Council, has also sent a similar email.