'Sad day' as Gloucester City Council begins to vanish

Gloucester City Council's move to Shire Hall has been described as another example of the 'vanishing council'.

Staff will share premises with the county council while the customer service centre will move to two former shops opposite Shire Hall on Westgate Street.

The Conservative-run city council says the move is intended to make savings, share resources, facilitate stronger joint working between the two authorities and make better use of the city council's own assets.

The move, which is for three years, is scheduled to take place in early 2019 and could save around £100,000 each year.

The decision has been discussed by the city council's overview and scrutiny committee.

Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester Liberal Democrats, said: "The move to Shire Hall is another example of the 'vanishing council', which is what Gloucester City Council is becoming under the stewardship of the Conservatives.

"They have been in charge since 2004 and staff cuts have been so severe that in future the council will be squatting on the top floor at Shire Hall rather than using the four warehouses at the Docks which it once did.

"Services are in decline and we have so few members of staff that important projects are being delayed or not done at all.

"The fiasco, which is the management of the streetcare contract is a fine example. The client side lacks decent management.

"The move to Shire Hall will also see our public advice reception area squeezed into two small shop units on Westgate Street.

"This is a sad day for a once vibrant local council. The historic city of Gloucester deserves better."