SEDGEMOOR district councillors yesterday (Monday) debated the possibility of selling half of their offices in Bridgwater to help pay for a new town pool.

At yesterday morning’s executive meeting, councillors discussed the option of selling office space at Bridgwater House to Somerset County Council for £2.5million.

The money would then be ring-fenced towards the £6.3million maximum cost of a new pool at Chilton Trinity.

The idea is in its infancy but was due to be discussed further at yesterday afternoon’s district council scrutiny meeting, as the Mercury went to press.

Earlier, at the executive meeting, the council leader Duncan McGinty said sharing office space would be a positive move.

He said: “There is still a lot of work and planning to do but we have a real opportunity to move forward.

“Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset County Council and Homes in Sedgemoor all sharing the overheads of this building will mean more services will be retained in the future.

“Looking into opportunities of sharing with the county council is what local authorities should be doing to reduce costs.”

Roger Lavers, leader of the Labour opposition on the district council, said: “There should be a feasibility study first before this goes ahead. It seems to me the council is trying to get a capital receipt for the closing of the Splash.”

A district council spokesman told the Mercury the plan could involve desk-sharing, home working or communal working areas.

At yesterday afternoon’s scrutiny committee meeting, councillors voted in favour of carrying out a feasibility study into the share plans before they are given the green light.

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