Worcestershire Council Spends £2M Annually Maintaining Empty Offices

Worcestershire County Council has faced significant criticism for spending nearly £2 million, or over £5,000 a day, maintaining its empty County Hall headquarters since its closure in June 2024 due to legionella contamination and structural concerns. The 49-year-old building, deemed 'surplus to requirements' after a £390,000 feasibility study, continues to incur costs including utilities, insurance, maintenance, cleaning, waste disposal, groundskeeping, and business rates. The council, led by a minority Reform coalition, also spent £160,000 relocating staff and equipment to temporary rented offices, drawing condemnation from councillors who called the spending a disgrace and urged for the urgent sale or redevelopment of the property to better support public services. Meanwhile, a report outlining future options for the site is expected to be published, with a council cabinet meeting scheduled for July 17 to discuss next steps. In a related context, Wirral Council is managing increased costs for largely unoccupied new office buildings, using profits from a joint venture to cover the expenses, highlighting broader challenges local councils face in managing costly office spaces amid financial pressures.