TOWN COUNCIL chiefs have revealed efforts are still being made to relocate into Evesham town centre despite putting a move away from the community contact centre on hold for 12 months.
Evesham Town Council extended their lease following Wychavon District Council’s decision to remain on the West Mercia Police owned site until March 2019 at which point both councils will transfer their services away from the building.
The centre, which has been based on Abbey Road since 2003, provides services on behalf of Wychavon District Council, Evesham Town Council, Worcestershire County Council and West Mercia Police.
But time has been called on the venture after Wychavon District Council initally revealed it wouldn’t extend its lease with building owners West Mercia Police when it expired
Wychavon chiefs claim the site is too big for its needs and revealed Worcestershire County Council had suggested the centre move to Evesham Library on Oat Street.
Although the move would cost an extra £11,000 a year, council chiefs claimed they could make staff savings and would be at less of risk of large repair and maintenance bills.
The offer to move to the town’s High Street and to the library on Oat Street along with their Wychavon colleagues were both considered but ruled out as not suitable but council chiefs vowed to continue to investigate town centre office locations.
The Department of Work and Pensions and Worcestershire County Council are also set to remain on site but all have been asked to leave by February next year.
A letter to town clerk Stuart Clerk revealed discussions were being held between an interested party and West Mercia which would see them become the new tenant for the entire building from March 2019.
However they have also indicated that they do not wish to manage the property on behalf of other occupiers.
“Members are encouraged to inform the clerk if they see anywhere they think is suitable for an office.
“It may also be worthwhile forming small working group on whom the clerk can call on to discuss options, arrange viewings when the need arises,” the report to councillors read.
