Medway Council’s children’s social care services team is moving in with Medway's largest landlord to save cash.

The services are to be brought under one roof in a move that will save taxpayers money and, according to the council, help improve the way the teams work.

At the moment, the team operates from three centres at Woodlands Place, Gillingham, The Redvers Centre, Chatham and The Elaine Centre in Strood.

All the premises have been used by the Children’s Social Care Services Team for the past seven years but are now described as "not fit for purpose" due to their age, layout and condition.

Medway Council’s Cabinet agreed to move the 200-strong team to a floor at an office at Broadside at Chatham Maritime, the head office of mhs homes.

Cllr Alan Jarrett, deputy council leader and in charge of finance, said: “Bringing the team to one place will save the council money.

“Renting space from mhs Homes is a cheaper alternative than paying for improvements at buildings that are no longer fit for purpose and reduces the council’s revenue costs.”

The council will now look at selling or leasing the three buildings.

Cllr Mike O’Brien, in charge of children's services, said: “It makes absolute sense for the team to all work together under one roof. It makes the sharing of information so much easier and that will result in an even better service for its users.”

mhs homes Chief Executive, Ashley Hook, said his staff were looking forward to welcoming Medway Council.

He added: "Not only will this partnership enable the council’s Children's Social Care Services team to work more closely together, it will provide an additional income for mhs homes which will be reinvested into services for customers and our programme to develop more affordable homes for local people.”