Decision over selling Cheshire’s County Hall due soon

Jun 25 2009 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

KEY players were last night discussing secret plans to sell County Hall to Chester University for an estimated £10m with council staff relocating to the new HQ building across the road.

County Hall is regarded as unfit for purpose and Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) needs to sell the asset so Cheshire East Council can receive its fair share following local government reorganisation.

Meanwhile, the expanding university needs more sites to allow its development.

But Cheshire East, which is holding an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday, must rubber-stamp the deal.

Cheshire East Council leader Wesley Fitzgerald said: “We have never said to the West or anybody else that we are not happy with the deal that’s been put together.

“What we said is that we have a duty to the people of Cheshire East and the people as a whole – we all have in public service – to ensure we are getting best value for money in the current climate.”

The CWAC executive was meeting in private at Ellesmere Port Civic Offices last night to discuss items listed on the agenda as ‘Future Use of County Hall’ and ‘New Office Accommodation’.

CWAC spokesman Ian Callister said: “No decision has yet been taken to sell County Hall but we have made no secret of the fact that the authority would be looking for a building more suited to the needs of a progressive council which has pledged to make the best use of its resources and deliver value for money.”

This Friday council leader Mike Jones will attend a ceremony on the fourth floor balcony of the HQ scheme which is nearing completion along with representatives of owners Liberty Plc and builders Pochin Construction Limited.

Professor Tim Wheeler, the University of Chester’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “The University of Chester is currently evaluating a number of potential property options in the city, to facilitate its development.

“A decision on whether to progress its interest in any existing premises, would depend on considerations such as value for money, fitness for purpose for the University’s core business, location and projected running costs.

“Any decision will only be made after the University Council, its governing body, has been consulted at its meeting on June 24, and members have indicated their express approval.”