Cash-strapped Ashford Borough Council (ABC) is to consider leaving its headquarters - throwing the future of the existing Civic Centre into doubt.

The local authority is to examine the potential of a move to the International House office block, which it also owns, from its current base a short distance away in Tannery Lane.

Pressure on the council’s budget means all potential savings must be explored.

Property costs, including the operation and upkeep of the Civic Centre, represent a significant outgoing which is now under review.

ABC purchased International House, which overlooks Ashford's railway station, and its surrounding land in 2014 as part of a £7.9 million deal.

Like many public bodies and private businesses, the authority has seen working practices change in the wake of the pandemic - with staff embracing a hybrid model of time spent working both at home and in the office.

Conservative deputy leader Cllr Paul Bartlett told KentOnline it is only right the borough council reviews its situation in light of a challenging budgetary outlook.

“I do think it’s quite right that we explore all possibilities,” he said.

“Property costs are a sizeable chunk of the budget and we’re always looking to manage what we spend effectively.

“Whether anything will come of it, I think it’s at a really, really early stage.

“It isn’t a front-line piece of cost. People don’t really care where the services are delivered from as long as the services are delivered.

“People spending a part of their working time at home is now the norm and I think it’s a very strong benefit from what has happened.

“I think people can achieve a better balance in their life, and with the cost of commuting going up I think it’s something that we need to look at very closely.”

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

In an update to council staff, seen by KentOnline, it is said that a move from the Civic Centre to International House could produce a net saving of about £300,000.

This figure could grow, depending on the alternative uses identified for the Tannery Lane offices.

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 also has poor insulation and costs a lot to use and maintain..."

A council spokesman said: “Moving from the Civic Centre could contribute significant savings.

“Post-pandemic, many organisations are working in different ways, and the Civic Centre is not as well used with the ability for some staff to work from home.

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

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

“It is really early days on this idea and more details on this will follow in due course. We will of course keep residents up to date as more details emerge, but for now, it is very much business as usual.”

Elsewhere in the county, other councils are weighing up similar moves from established offices to other council-owned properties.

Canterbury City Council plans to relocate some operations to the Whitefriars shopping centre, while Folkestone and Hythe District Council is examining a potential shift to the former Debenhams site in Sandgate Road.