Plan to vacate offices in cuts

Council offices across the Wyre Forest district could be mothballed to save vital cash as part of a freeze on spending, it was announced today.

It follows concern about the credit crunch, reductions in interest rates and the potential loss of £9 million of council cash trapped in deposits in troubled Icelandic Banks.

Now councillors have called for officials to review their departments and consider whether it would be possible to vacate some offices to avoid overspending.

Wyre Forest Council operates from sites across the district including the Civic Centre and New Street in Stourport, Green Street, the Town Hall, Coventry Street and Duke House in Kidderminster and also has the museum office and Guildhall at Bewdley.

Conservative councillors have already indicated they would eventually like to see services transferred to a single site.

Council leader councillor John Campion said: "We have asked officials to review current accommodation with a view to reducing costs and possibly mothballing some offices. We are also seeking a reduction of one per cent, or £100,000, on overtime. These are challenging times and it is only right and proper we do these reviews now."