In a move to help their customers and maintain cost-efficiency, South Somerset District Council and Somerset County Council have agreed a lease for sharing part of SSDC’s central office at Brympton Way, Yeovil.
The agreement was signed on Friday 8 August by both Councils and marks a new phase of joint working by the two authorities. The County Council’s Adult and Children Services – currently at Maltravers House, Yeovil – will move to Brympton Way, starting in the autumn, with the transfer completed by Christmas.
The County Council will occupy a complete floor and part of another, at Brympton Way.
Councillor Ric Pallister, Leader of the District Council, said, “This is a good day for local government in South Somerset. It makes sense to share accommodation with our colleagues and will help people using council services to have more on one site. We are looking forward to welcoming our County colleagues in the autumn.”
Councillor David Huxtable, Somerset County Council Cabinet Member for Resources, said, “We are committed to working more effectively with our partners to create a smaller, leaner and more customer-focused public sector in Somerset. We are working hard to reduce the amount of money we spend on offices and welcome this opportunity to work more closely with our colleagues at the District Council.”
Staff of both councils are adopting flexible working patterns to make the most efficient use of office space, technology and resources. Councillor Tim Carroll, District Council Portfolio Holder for Finance and Spatial Planning, said, “These arrangements are part of a drive by SSDC towards flexible working that will maximise cost-saving at our premises – for example the introduction of hot-desking that will use technology to make more efficient use of our offices.”