Cheltenham's Grade II Municipal Offices one step closer to being sold
The building is now deemed to be too big because of changes in working patterns
Last updated 20th Jun 2024
Cheltenham’s iconic Municipal Offices are a step closer to being sold after civic chiefs voted to explore options for its disposal.
The grade II*-listed building has been home to Cheltenham Borough Council for more than 100 years.
But council chiefs deem it to be surplus to requirements as they have fewer staff and patterns shift with a mix of home and office working. The building’s carbon footprint is considerable and it is not accessible for those with mobility issues, according to the council.
Council leader Rowena Hay (LD, Oakley) told today’s meeting that she could remember a time when there were more than 950 people working from the Municipal Offices.
She said the authority has a “magical opportunity” to put the building back on the map and properly used.
“We are now about 200 staff, there or thereabout,” she said.
“We occupy at maximum 25 per cent of this building but we are custodians of the entire listed building. It needs to be brought back into the whole mix of Cheltenham and Cheltenham’s place.”
Tory group leader Tim Harman (C, Park) said all councillors recognised they needed to make changes in how the building operates.
But his group were uncomfortable with the report as it talks of the sale but does not say where the council is going.
He said: “We might be selling it for something we might later say wasn’t entirely the right thing to do. We’ve got more questions today than we’ve got answers.”
Councillor Garth Barnes (LD, College), who said he is the “longest surviving member of the building”, said the Municipal Offices are so important to the town and its democracy.
But he said it was time the council moved on but that it makes sure it is not “wasted and misused” by its future owners.
“We as a council have a responsibility to make sure that what we do with this building is right, purposeful and will be long lasting for our future generations.”
Councillor Wendy Flynn (G, Hesters Way) said it was disappointing to see the council abandon a commitment to keep the building within the ownership of the Borough Council because it belongs to the town and its residents.
The council voted to dispose of the Municipal Offices on the open market by 27 votes in favour to seven against.
The council will commission a development brief for the building which will take a “creative and conservation-led” approach to the reuse, adaptation and extension of the listed building.
Once the development brief is complete, the council will invite bids to development Municipal Offices.
The finance and assets cabinet member will then bring back proposals to full council for councillors to take a final decision on the future of the building.