Council chiefs to sell off historic building and move out

WESTMINSTER City Council stands to make tens of millions of pounds as it prepares to move out of its two main offices.
The council not only wants to sell the historic Council House in Marylebone Road, it also wants to leave its main centre – City Hall in Victoria Street. But the Labour opposition has accused the council of being being desperate to make money to cope with the “cash crisis” caused by the collapse in revenue following the reduction in the numbers of parking tickets issued.
The council’s finance scrutiny committee is meeting on Tuesday to discuss their plans.
In the report council officers have outlined a series of reasons why they want to move from the Council House including asbestos release. It says: “The condition of Council House has long given cause for concern. The building has for some time had an uncertain long-term future and accordingly capital expenditure has been limited.
“Incidents such as asbestos release in a storeroom in 2003, and persistent difficulties in maintaining heating and other services, are the visible signs of a wider list of problems.”
It adds: “The short term plan to vacate Council House is likely to be achievable by the end of 2005... it may be that the better long term option is to vacate Council House and sell the building.”