A HOST of offices have been vacated over the past year saving the public purse £3m, according to Birmingham City Council.
It says it has achieved the cost cuttings through its ‘Working for the Future’ programme by vacating leased buildings that were occupied by back office departments.
These include major city centre leased buildings like Alpha Tower, 1 Victoria Square and 7/8 Waterloo Street together with a number of buildings in suburban areas.
The news, while welcome words to tax payers, is unlikely to please the commercial property market and lettings agents who rely on public sector tenants for rental income.
In a statement, the city council said: “Vacating these buildings means ending expensive leases and reducing ongoing property costs.
“The result is that in future years a full 12 month benefit of £3.84m of taxpayers’ money will be saved every year.
“Overall the Working for the Future programme will create savings of £100m over 25 years through consolidating the council’s office portfolio and creating improved, sustainable and more efficient workspace.”
Employees previously based in these offices have moved to the recently completed Lifford House, in Stirchley, and 1 Lancaster Circus in central Birmingham, which accommodate approximately 650 and 2,000 employees respectively.
