PROPOSALS to relocate Cheshire West and Chester Council staff from purpose-built HQ building in Chester to Winsford and Ellesmere Port, have been announced.

The council this is ‘part of a strategy to support employees to work more flexibly and make savings on office accommodation.’

All council employees based in corporate buildings are being asked for their views on agile working proposals that would enable people to work from a variety of locations supported by technology.

It would see the phased relocation of staff from HQ to other corporate buildings to reduce reliance on traditional office space and to support the council’s commitment to local employment and regeneration.

Some staff would be relocated to Wyvern House in Winsford and Civic Way in Ellesmere Port. The proposals include improvements to both corporate buildings.

The council would maintain a smaller presence in Chester through its existing offices at Nicholas House and Goldsmith House.

The proposals include an allocation based on one desk for 1.8 people, an offer of full-time home working for some staff, hot desk provision and team ‘touch-down’ space in corporate buildings.

The proposals have been developed following discussions with staff as part of the council’s accommodation strategy review which aims to save £2.4 million over the next four years.

Staff are now being asked for feedback as part of a consultation that runs until April 28. The views of unions and elected Members will also be considered.

Chief Executive Gerald Meehan said: “Advances in technology mean that people are working differently now and we need to look at better ways of working for our staff based in corporate buildings.

“It is also important to make accommodation cost savings if we are to achieve our aim of bridging the £57 million financial shortfall in our funding by 2020.

“These proposals will place our services closer to our residents, enabling our local communities and economies to thrive.

“They will offer our staff a more flexible approach to working and help us to achieve our financial savings by operating out of our more affordable corporate buildings.

“This is a continuation of our journey to be more effective and efficient, delivering the best possible services for our residents.”

The proposals are expected to be finalised in the summer. If agreed, relocation of staff would begin in early autumn.

The council currently leases space in its corporate buildings to various organisations to make financial savings as part of its wider accommodation strategy.