4:52pm Friday 6th November 2009
By Natasha Agombar
BRAINTREE Council is considering moving its headquarters to Witham.
The council owns the freehold of Mayland House, in The Grove, which it leases to one of Witham's biggest employers, insurance firm Marsh Ltd, part of Marsh and McLennan Companies.
The company, which also occupies Grove House - another Braintree Council-owned property - next door, announced last month that it is winding down its mobile phone insurance scheme, affecting about 50 jobs.
Council leader Graham Butland said: "Marsh are engaged in a restructuring and as a result are looking to divest themselves of leasing Mayland House.
"They have approached us to see if we would be interested in taking back the lease of Mayland House.
"We will be having a number of discussions with them. The offices are ideal for what we would call the back office functions of a council."
The council's 400 or so employees could move as early as June, as Marsh is looking to vacate the premises in late summer or early autumn.
Braintree Council announced its intention to move out of Causeway House in Bocking End last year because it was too large and costly to upkeep, following the departure of Greenfields Community Housing to new offices this month.
If it decides to move to Witham, plans to build a new headquarters as part of the Braintree bus park revamp will be scrapped and developers will be asked to come up with alternative proposals for the site.
Causeway House could also be put on the market by the end of next year for re-development.
Mr Butland said Mayland House was well maintained, despite being two years older than Causeway House.
The council would rent out one floor, and is talking with organisations such as Essex County Council to see if they are interested.
A decision on whether to move is due to be made next month.
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