Meeting to decide future of former council HQ

A report which sets out what could happen to Shropshire Council's former headquarters is due to be discussed at a special cabinet meeting.

The Shirehall is a six-storey 1960s office block in Shrewsbury, and the previous Conservative administration announced that staff had days to leave at the end of 2024 - with most operations moving to the Guildhall in the town centre.

The report includes an independent review, which recommends the site be sold in order to maximise capital receipt, reduce further investment, and minimise ongoing running costs.

Cabinet members will consider the report on Tuesday before reaching a decision at the meeting.

Only limited service activity remains at Shirehall, since most staff moved to the new site.

Shropshire Council faces significant financial challenges - exceptional financial support (EFS) from government has been required to allow the authority to submit a balanced budget for 2026/27.

It said further EFS support would be required for the foreseeable future.

The report states that capital receipts generated through the sale of redundant assets could be used to reduce reliance on EFS and reduce the consequent borrowing costs.

It added that continued ownership of Shirehall would create ongoing costs for security, utilities, maintenance, insurance and compliance.

Councillor Heather Kidd, the Liberal Democrat leader of the authority, said the site was too big and expensive to run and maintain, adding that the authority has no money to invest in it.

"We are under a great deal of external scrutiny and, understandably the government is pushing us to sell assets that we don't need or want so we can avoid costly borrowing," she said.

"A final decision is now needed – it continues to cost us a significant amount of money to keep [the building] secure and this can't continue."

The potential sale of the site has been met with some opposition.

Green Party councillor for Porthill, Julian Dean, said the party believed the building was a valuable asset to the council's balance sheet.

"What happens to it will have a significant impact on the public purse at a time when the council is in financial crisis," he said.

He said the party was calling for a "radical rethink" on the potential sale, and said Shirehall could be a "centre for a combination of public services, community facilities and commercial opportunities."

Meanwhile, campaign group Save Our Shirehall have been vocal about refurbishing the site for community and commercial use.

"Opportunities like using the Shirehall to further reduce costs and generate incomes must not be overlooked," it said.

The group has suggested that a joint venture refurbishment would avoid risking taxpayers' money and offer a better site for council staff to work from.

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.