Further to our recent posting on this topic: Cllr. Jill Whitehead says: “On 8th November 2011, the Council’s Executive Committee decided to reject plans to move its staff in the Civic Centre, owing to the high costs of this in the current economic climate. The property market and cost of borrowing were seen as too uncertain, and this involved too many risks”. Jill is Vice-Chair of the Council’s Scrutiny Overview Committee which in October had asked the Council to look at alternatives other than relocating Carshalton staff to the Civic Centre.
Cllr. Alan Salter adds: “The Council has now decided to continue with its series of Smarter Services Sutton Reviews, which will give a better idea of what the council’s accommodation needs will be over the coming years. Owing to the government’s requirements for councils to cut costs and be more efficient in difficult economic times, fewer staff may be required in some operational areas in future.”
Cllr. Hamish Pollock, Chair of the Council’s Carshalton & Clockhouse Local Committee says: “We have been assured that the ideas local residents came up with for the future uses of Carshalton buildings such as The Lodge, Honeywood Walk, Stonecourt, North Street and The Grove house at the meetings held with local groups over the summer and at the Special Local Committee of 15th September 2011, will be returned to, and reconsidered in the future when the time is right. The Council believes that the consultation undertaken with residents had been very important in reaching its decision.”