A COUNCIL is set to relocate its staff to a purpose-built headquarters as part of a drive to improve its services.

Harrogate Borough Council voted to progress proposals to relocate from five centres across Harrogate to a single building at its Knapping Mount site, between the A61 Ripon Road and A59 Skipton Road.

Earlier this year, a public consultation into the council’s future office accommodation was held with over 57 per cent of respondents supporting the council’s preferred option to build new headquarters rather than consolidating down to three buildings.

Members rejected a proposal to build new offices in Hornbeam Park, in the south of the town, as it did not present a better solution in terms of value for money.

The council will now prepare a planning application for the new office accommodation, before seeking quotes from contractors to carry out construction work and marketing its existing properties.

A final decision on whether to build new headquarters will be made next summer.

The authority's leader, Councillor Richard Cooper, said: “Having staff and services in one location will also result in greater efficiency and allow us to further improve our customer service.

"I would not be able to look people in the eye if we did not take the opportunity to make efficiency savings and as a result had to close community centres, leisure facilities or cut benefits due to a lack of cash."