A £5.6m scheme to cut North Yorkshire County Council’s office costs by moving more staff into its headquarters has been unanimously backed by its leading members.

The authority’s deputy leader Councillor Gareth Dadd, told the council’s executive committee the scheme to enable flexible working and desk-sharing for its 1,602 staff at County Hall in Northallerton would save £2.6m annually.

He said: “The driver for this, as it is with everything at central services is efficiencies, save money and take some pressure off our saving targets so we can invest in the front line.”

The changes will also include about 120 extra car parking spaces, with potential for more, which it is hoped will ease mounting concerns over car parking in the town.

Councillor David Blades said: “This will put a completely different light on the situation facing residents. I think this is a very positive and bold move by this authority.”