Social services offices to relocate (From Gazette Series)

Social services offices to relocate

PLANS to spend £345,000 on relocating the social services offices for Cam and Dursley have been backed by town leaders. Gloucestershire County Council has registered a planning application to move the department from the current site at Union Street to a more central site for Cam and Dursley.

It has been proposed that the former magistrates court building next to Dursley police station could be converted.

A GCC spokeswoman said: "The existing offices are not in a good location for service users to access and, being isolated, are subject to vandalism.

"The new property is owned by GCC. The plans are for a refurbishment of the courtroom and associated offices and to provide office accommodation and reception facilities for fieldwork staff servicing the area.

"It is also intended to facilitate opportunities for partnership working, with additional staff from partnership agencies."

The money for the move is already in the council's budget and further money would be brought in from the sale of the property at Union Street. After assessing the application at a planning and town improvements committee, Dursley Town Council has welcomed the potential move. Ann Leaney, clerk to the town council, said: "Members felt it would be much more accessible to everybody.

"It was viewed as more sensible location, one that was good in terms of making social services more accessible to people."

Dursley Town Mayor Cllr Jane Ball said the move to improved facilities could only be good for the people of Dursley and Cam. She added: "It is a good sized building and it will be good to see it back in use."

The plans have been through the consultation period and no objections have been received.

The GCC spokeswoman added: "The next stage will be to go to county planning and as there have been no objections it will go to delegated powers and we are therefore confident we will get consent." The premises could be ready for occupation by early next year.