Plans to close Valleys council office housing 300 social work staff

A VALLEYS council office could close and staff transferred in a bid to save half a million pounds. Caerphilly Council’s cabinet are set to decide on Tuesday whether or not to keep Hawtin Park council offices in Pontllanfraith open.

In a report put forward by the council’s corporate services department, it states that the site is currently home to 302 social services staff.

Under the proposal, 130 would move to Ty Penallta offices.

Staff involved in childcare for Blackwood and Risca would be moved to vacant accomodation in Woodfieldside, following moves by housing rents and property staff.

HR and ICT staff will be brought together with core staff within the Corporate Services Directorate, social services training staff will be moved to Tredomen into a vacated area by Health and Safety staff, who will be brought together into HR.

A number of personell staff will be moved to Ty Duffryn and existing HART starr will transfer to Enterprise House when the Community Safety staff move to Pontllanfraith Civic Offices.

Facilities, Learning Disabilities and Community Services staff will move to Graddfa House.

The council only has the lease for Hawtin Park until March 2011 and if given the green light, the closure of the office will save the council £500,000 through associated running costs.

A decision on the transfer will be made at Caerphilly cabinet on Tuesday.