‘Panic mode’: Late night email tells staff to work from home as Shropshire Council tries to save money

A late-night email sent on Thursday laid out the urgency of the decision, as Shropshire Council looks to cut more of the mammoth £62m it needs to save this year.

Later in November the advice They will also close bases ‘temporarily’ in bridgnorth and Oswestry.

The email sent on behalf of council leader Lezley Picton spoke of the need to act now. They are expected to save around £100,000 this winter thanks to lower heating, lighting and cleaning costs.

A similar email was also sent to hundreds of Shirehall employees signed by chief executive Andy Begley.

“We have already made the decision to leave Shirehall as it is too large for the council’s future needs, and we will now close Shirehall to all staff from Friday 1 November.

“This means that all staff using Shirehall will have to work from home until space becomes available at Guildhall in the coming weeks.

“This is a temporary measure that accelerates our move plans we announced last month and reflects the steps we took so successfully during the pandemic.”

Some statutory functions remain at Shirehall, such as START Registrar Services, the children’s compass and assessment team, and staff working with people at risk, until they can move to Guildhall.

But he says the fact that they will be vacating space will mean they will be able to close many parts of the building.

Councilor Heather Kidd, joint leader of the Shropshire Liberal Democrats, said this shows “the desperate situation the council finds itself in”.

“It’s about saving money, and in terms of overall savings needed, it’s not a lot of money.”

He added: “It looks like panic. But we cannot oppose it because if we are in this financial situation we have to do everything possible.”

“It’s sad that we have to do this at the last minute.

“If it could have been planned over the last few years, it would have been better.”

The councilors themselves still do not know where their meetings will be held.

Frankwell Guildhall has now been vacated and the first council teams will begin moving in from November.

The email also says that by Friday 15 November they will also be “temporarily closing” Cantern Brook and Innage Lane in Bridgnorth. Victoria Road in Oswestry will have parts of the building temporarily out of service.

Shropshire Council has been approached for comment.