RICHMONDSHIRE District Council could quit its Richmond offices for a purpose-built base on the new Colburn Business Park.

Although proposals are in the early stages, and any move is likely to be two years away, the general idea has already won the backing of senior officers and members.

High maintenance costs and cramped accommodation at the authority's existing offices, spread across Richmond town centre, are given as the reasons for the suggested move.

The current premises at Swale House, Frenchgate House, Friars' Wynd and 3 Frenchgate, all owned by the council, would be disposed of.

Harry Tabiner, chief executive, hoped a deal could be struck whereby the developer of the new base at Colburn would also take on and redevelop the Richmond properties, possibly as housing.

Springwell House, occupied by the environmental health, planning and housing departments, is rented from the TSB bank.

The move would not take place until a one-stop community office, similar to those already at Hawes and Leyburn and in the pipeline for Reeth, had opened in Richmond.

Members of the public would be able to pay bills and have access to council services there instead of having to travel to Colburn.

Mr Tabiner said: "It is still very much at the in-principle stage but the leaders of the council's four political groups support the principle." All members received information on the proposals this week.

"The current accommodation is very poor both for staff and for members of the public," said Mr Tabiner. "In the 2000 perception survey, residents drew attention to the poor accommodation, and it is quite clear that people expect better facilities than they are currently getting."

Staff were also concerned about cramped and ageing split-site accommodation.

"Maintenance costs of these old buildings, including Swale House which is listed, are very high and they provide limited ability to integrate with other services," said Mr Tabiner.

An independent review recently showed that the council's old accommodation was preventing it from developing services as much as it would like.

There was also a national drive for local authorities to separate front and back office services and Richmondshire had received £200,000 of Government cash to improve its computer systems towards that goal.

Colburn Business Park, being developed by Yorkshire Forward, North Yorkshire County Council and Richmondshire council, would have a broad band system, which vastly enhances computer communications.

The move would affect about 150 of the council's 330 staff; the remainder, including building inspectors and leisure centre staff, are employed elsewhere. Workers were informed this week of the possible move and the matter goes before the resources committee on February 19.

Mr Tabiner said no jobs would be lost as a result of the move. Tony Clark, executive director, said the Colburn site was in the middle of the district's largest centre of population.

"A move by the district council into that area might act as a catalyst to attract other organisations to the rest of the business park," he said.

Mr Tabiner was keen that the authority was not seen to be deserting Richmond. "The move would give better services for the whole of the district, including Richmond," he said.

"The community office will provide one office where members of the public can carry out all their council business, rather than walking round four different offices."

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