Reform UK accused of financial 'chaos' for spending £500k to keep both council headquarters open

BUT LEADER SAYS IT ‘MAKES NO SENSE’ TO MOVE OUT AND SELL ICONIC COUNTY HALL BUILDING

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE

REFORM UK is spending hundreds of thousands of pounds to keep two Nottinghamshire County Council headquarters running at the same time in what the party insists is the “practical approach’

The opposition at the council have accused Reform of financial “chaos” as the party prepares to spend half a million pounds on upgrades to the ageing County Hall building - whilst still holding meetings in a new headquarters 10 miles away.

County Hall on the banks of the River Trent had served as Nottinghamshire County Council’s main base since its construction in the 1950s, but the Conservatives previously running the authority decided to shift the headquarters to Hucknall.

Business plans were being drawn up for County Hall’s future and possibilities previously floated included a Nottingham Forest hotel.

The £19 million Oak House building has therefore served as the authority’s new headquarters since May and all remaining staff were eventually set to vacate the previous West Bridgford base.

Yet Reform UK said shortly after taking control of the council in May that it would be reviewing all the authority's assets and the party now says it will be spending £500,000 on vital upgrades to County Hall.

The spending will include making sure all County Hall’s fridges are functional and that the building’s toilets work properly.