A council’s headquarters have been closed and vacant for more than a year but taxpayers are still paying for the building. Nearly £2million was spent of Worcestershire County Council taxpayer money on maintaining disused property last year. The staggering figure is around £5,300 a day and includes a £390,000 payment on a study to assess the building feasibility. The slammed council is currently run by a minority Reform coalition which is two seats short of a majority following May’s local elections.
The study found that the building was “surplus to requirements” and councillors are saying the spending of taxpayer money on this site is “a disgrace”. Labour Councillor Richard Udall said: “Even before the problems arose, I was calling for the sale of County Hall – it’s simply not needed.” He added that the money should have been spent on public services.
Parts of the building were initially closed in September 2023 when reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was found in the roof, and after a potentially deadly legionella was found in the water supply the rest of the building was closed in June 2024. The cost of moving staff and equipment to rented offices nearby cost the taxpayer a further £160,000.
Figures revealed the annual building costs for County Hall came to £810,783 which included utilities, insurance and maintenance. An additional cost of £722,774 occurred for cleaning, waste, grounds maintenance, window cleaning and statutory services. The site also racked up £409,987 in business rates.
Lib Dem councillor Dan Boatright-Greene said: “The longer this goes on, the more it is going to cost us.” He added the “Good, sensible decisions need to be made now as it is clear demolition is round the corner”
Councillor Rob Wharton, cabinet member for finance and efficiency, said: “A detailed report will be published next week. This report has been prepared to provide details of options for future use of the site, associated costs as well as the steps required for decommissioning.”
The fate of the site will be discussed at a full council meeting on July 17.
