A council has decided to sell off its £53m newly opened headquarters in order to cover social care costs.

Northamptonshire County Council’s offices were opened last October by Communities and Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid in a bid to save £51m in running costs over 30 years.

However, the local authority is now proposing to sell One Angel Square as a freehold and to lease it back for a period of 25 years or more.

It would then be able to sub-let space within the building to third parties to partially offset rental costs.

Northamptonshire CC argues cuts in Government funding and the increasing costs of social care means it has to pursue all possible funding opportunities.

‘Our financial challenge is severe and ongoing and therefore we need to explore all avenues of funding that is available to us to fund our statutory services,’ said Cllr Robin Brown, county council cabinet member for finance.

‘This arrangement would see substantial capital receipts which would make a significant funding injection for our core services.

‘And of course we would remain in One Angel Square for a substantial period of time so we could still get the benefits from this modern, flexible working environment at the heart of the town centre.’