Dorset Council has said proposals to close South Walks House permanently and instead use offices at County Hall is something it has wanted to do since it became a unitary authority.

Dorset Council's scrutiny committee will meet next week to discuss reducing the number of its offices in Dorchester.

Following a recent review of the council's office estate, a report proposes consolidating all office space for council employees into County Hall, Colliton Park. It also recommends offering any surplus space in County Hall and Colliton Park for use by third sector and other public sector partners.

The report recommends seeking planning permission to use South Walks House and South Annexe, Colliton Park, for residential use, but for the library to remain.

Councillor Tony Ferrari, portfolio holder for economic growth, assets and property, said: "These proposals offer a much more efficient use of council-owned and leased buildings in Dorchester and will save money.

"It's something we have wanted to do since local government reorganisation took place - Dorset Council inherited a large portfolio of property and assets from predecessor councils that we knew could be managed more efficiently.

"If approved, these recommendations would enable the council to significantly reduce the running costs of buildings, as well as generate capital receipts or income by using some buildings differently."

Dorset Council currently owns and occupies 12 buildings in Dorchester. Some of these buildings are rented to public sector and voluntary sector partners.

Dorset Council employs around 4,500 people - excluding schools-based staff - of which 3,000 work from offices either full or part time. Around 1,900 staff members are in Dorchester and this is where the bulk of the desk capacity is currently located and required.

Dorset Council has already served notice on its lease of Princes House in Dorchester. This building will be vacated by the end on March and all council employees relocated to County Hall. Combined with council staff vacating the South Walks House building, Dorset Council says this will save £612k a year.

The Covid pandemic has accelerated changes to working arrangements, with many employees working from home. Dorset Council estimates that between 800 to 1,000 desks will be required in Dorchester in the future, a reduction of between 50 and 60 per cent on current requirements.

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