Plans to move a council HQ have taken a step forward but questions remain over what will happen to its current site.

Rising costs mean Ashford Borough Council (ABC) is looking to move out of the Civic Centre in Tannery Lane and into International House, an office block it owns a short distance away.

Now, a consultation asking residents who regularly use the Civic Centre to have their say on the possible relocation has opened.

Bosses say information gathered will be used alongside feedback from council officers, members and stakeholders before the final decision is made.

In the wake of the pandemic, rooms in the Civic Centre have sat empty as more people are working from home.

Rising maintenance costs are also making the building increasingly unviable at a time where the authority needs to make huge savings.

Prior to the pandemic, ABC invested about £70,000 on improvements to the Civic Centre, but further bills for upkeep are expected in the coming years.

It is understood ABC needs to make savings of about £2 million per year to balance its books over a five-year period.

The move to International House, next to Ashford International station, could produce a net saving of about £300,000 but this figure could grow, depending on the alternative uses identified for the Tannery Lane offices.

A council spokesman confirmed: “We are seeing higher vacancy levels following the pandemic, and like many other workplaces, we can take advantage of hybrid working where technology has advanced over the last few years with the ability for some staff to work from home, meaning we are now only using two floors of the building.

“A formal consultation with staff began last month and we are now talking to residents and visitors to the Civic Centre for their views on the proposals.

“Moving could contribute significant savings.

“Post-pandemic, many organisations are working in different ways, and our building is now not as well used.

“It has poor insulation and costs a lot to use and maintain.

“There are also some parts of the building which either need serious investment or completely replacing in the coming years, which adds to the overall running costs.

“There is more work to be done on these proposals so we will endeavour to keep everyone updated, including residents, staff, members and other stakeholders as more details emerge, but for now, the message to residents is very much ‘it’s business as usual’.”

ABC purchased International House, which is Ashford’s tallest building, in 2014 as part of a £7.9 million deal.

Despite the progress of the move, it is still not clear what will happen to the current Civic Centre once the authority finds a new home.

The consultation is open until September 18.

To take part in the consultation, click here.