CORNWALL Council could be set to spend £30-million on new offices and refurbishing existing buildings in a bid to save money.

The council has launched an operational estate transformation programme which is looking to cut the number of buildings the council owns and runs whilst also making sure that council buildings are fit for modern working and needs.

A report is set to go to the council’s cabinet next week seeking approval for Tranche 1 of the programme which is set to cost £30,064,000.

This first phase would see new offices built in Liskeard, Launceston and Newquay whilst existing buildings in Penzance and Camborne would be refurbished and remodelled.

The programme was launched because the council says that its estate is too large and also suffers from historic underinvestment or are no longer suitable for the council’s needs.

There are planned to be five tranches to the programme, the first of which will be discussed by the cabinet when it meets next Wednesday (July 21). The whole programme is expected to be completed by 2025/26.

The council’s original plans were to have offices which would enable staff to work from home for one day a week, but after seeing the ease with which staff have been able to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic the council says that it will aim to have staff “work away from the office significantly more than one day a week”.

The overall scheme is aiming to save the council £6-million a year in costs along with indirect cost reduction of £2-million to £3-million.

It is also aiming to cut its backlog maintenance costs by around £32-million and could raise £25-million from the sale of assets.

In addition the council is aiming to cut its carbon footprint and will be looking to ensure that all of its buildings are more energy efficient and better located.

Locally, Launceston and Liskeard would be among the towns affected in the proposed Tranche 1.

Under the proposals a new ‘Hub’ would be built in Liskeard on the former Cattle Market site in the town, which is already the site of a major regeneration scheme.

The new building would be an integrated service and office hub and would cost £6.41-million and would save the council £680,000 a year.

This Liskeard option was chosen as it is in a central location in the town centre with good public transport links and would support the ongoing regeneration project.

It would also remove buildings which have suitability and condition issues and result in a ‘significant financial saving’ as well as improving conditions for staff and users.

If it goes ahead it is indicated that the council’s current base in Liskeard at Luxstowe House could be converted for extra care housing.

In Launceston the council is planning a new integrated service and office hub in Exeter Street in the town. The project would cost £5.12-million and would save the council £24,000 a year in revenue costs.

Explaining the choice the council report explains that it would regenerate a long-term derelict and contaminated site in the town centre.

It would also bring all services together in a town centre hub and provide flexible workspace. It also offers the chance to share premises with the town’s library and Tourist Information Centre.

The new hub could also be offered for community use outside of office hours and would provide a council base in Launceston which would reduce travel for staff in the area.

Other options had included using the existing library site in the town but the building was considered too small and in a ‘very poor condition’.