Last updated at 14:49, Wednesday, 17 October 2012

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THE council’s own £6.5million headquarters, the Copeland Centre on Catherine Street, Whitehaven, is being paid for by a Private Finance Initiative (PFI), which costs the council annual rent to the building’s owners, London & Regional Properties.

The council was unable to tell The Whitehaven News what this annual figure is. It is tied into this contract until 2029, however Copeland has recently moved its 20-strong environmental health team from the headquarters to its site at Moresby Parks. This may allow Sellafield to rent some space at the Copeland Centre to move its own workers off site, and negotiations are ongoing.

Reducing costs and renting out space at the Copeland Centre will save the council £150,000.

The council has 51 councillors representing 19 wards. Elaine Woodburn, leader of the council, says that only The Boundary Commission can review the number of councillors an authority has. Its next review can take place in 2015, with implementation of any proposals in 2019.

It is not permissible in government policy for the council to dispense of its mayor, added Coun Woodburn. However, civic and mayoral responsibilities will be reduced – as will civic hospitality – bringing a saving of £38,000. An example of this reduction is the cancellation of the annual mayor-making ceremony.

The council will also save £16,000 by cancelling, Copeland Matters, its quarterly magazine delivered to every resident, and a further £10,000 by cancelling subscriptions to various organisations that it is part of.

Negotiations are currently ongoing for Copeland to transfer a number of its assets to community groups and parish councils. These include Gosforth car park, Kells recreation ground, Orgill football fields and Wasdale Village Green, and will save the council future maintenance costs.

First published at 11:05, Thursday, 11 October 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk