CHESHIRE West and Chester’s Conservative group is making a bold proposal to sell the council HQ building in Nicholas Street, Chester, in order to utilise the proceeds for the benefit of council tax payers.

The council acquired the building a number of years ago at a bargain price and on the basis that this was an investment, which as was stated clearly at the time, we would be prepared to dispose of when the time was right.

It now seems sound policy to do so as we move towards a position where councils nationally are being expected to stand on their own two feet.

We believe the sale should net in excess of £20 million and the resultant proceeds could be prudently employed in reducing the council’s debt, thereby saving both interest charges and capital repayments.

We have a purpose-built council building in Winsford, in the form of Wyvern House, which, as a result of a reduction in staffing levels, is significantly under-utilised and is currently a cost burden on residents of the borough.

We also have substantial council premises in Ellesmere Port. Transferring the administrative functions of the council to those two towns would see the creation of well-needed jobs as well as providing a clear opportunity to establish new  businesses to support the council in those areas.

There is an undeniable logic to this proposal as the headquarters of such major associated services as fire and police are located in Winsford and not in Chester.

I am certain that the building in Nicholas Street would be an extremely desirable and sought-after location for inward investment into Chester.

The building could be sold with the council as the primary tenant; subsequently, over as short a period as is deemed  sensible, the council’s gradual vacation of the property should take place with a progressive handover to new tenants, the building remaining in use throughout and with its new occupants continuing to support the city.  There is absolutely no question of us proposing abandoning the City of Chester.

All major ceremonial functions would continue to be carried out in Chester and the town hall would, if anything, be more frequently used.

A number of council staff already commute in from Ellesmere Port and Winsford and those who would need to revise their commuting arrangements to the new locations would be  appropriately compensated.

What is of paramount importance is that we look continue to look at more efficient methods of running the council as the previous Conservative administration did over a number of years, thus ensuring that  residents continue to see that their Council Tax provides value for money.

Cllr Paul Williams Weaver and Cuddington