Birmingham City Council has saved £3m in the last 12 months by vacating leasehold properties.

The council announced today that its Working for the Future programme had resulted in a number of buildings being vacated, creating savings on running costs and rent.

Staff have vacated city centre leased properties including Alpha Tower, 1 Victoria Square and 7-8 Waterloo Street, along with other suburban by buildings.

The council said the programme would result in yearly savings of £3.8m in future years. It aims to make savings of £100m over 25 years through consolidating the council’s office portfolio and creating more efficient workspace.

The council says it will continue vacating buildings with expensive leases, reducing the amount of office space used, improving retained buildings and developing new sites.

Randal Brew, cabinet member for finance at the council, said: “Vacating buildings with expensive leases and providing staff with a modern working environment shows that the council is committed to operating in smarter ways.

“We are saving money, as we always said we would, which is fantastic for the taxpayer in these tough times.

“But even better still we are equipping staff with a more pleasant working environment in which they can deliver better services for citizens.”

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