COUNCIL staff in Weymouth will move out of their North Quay base in the next few months as a plan is submitted to transform the site into housing.

Moves out of the 40-year-old Municipal Offices are planned to take place in phases throughout 2015 in a move which will help Weymouth and Portland Borough Council significantly reduce its running costs.

All staff should be out by this time next year.

The council is set to submit a planning application this autumn for what it describes as a ‘high-quality mixed-use development’ on the North Quay office site to help regenerate the harbourside and provide an economic boost for the area.

A public reception is set to be retained in Weymouth at the council-owned Mulberry Centre with staff delivering local services based at the council’s existing Crookhill Offices in Chickerell.

Back office staff will share South Walks House offices in Dorchester with colleagues from West Dorset District Council. The two councils remain separate, but now share a workforce.

Councillors made the decision to move out of North Quay last February following consultation. A condition report estimates that the council would need to spend in the region of £2million on building and maintenance costs in coming years to stay there.

It also launched a consultation about future office accommodation plans, the results of which will be reported to the Management Committee on Tuesday, November 4.

There were 41 responses from members of the public, both online and by post and 137 online responses from staff and councillors.

Concerns about the Mulberry Centre include inadequate public transport, issues over car parking and the size of the office.

Issues raised by staff regarding Crookhill include lack of space and regarding South Walks House there are concerns about the ratio of desks to staff, storage and noise disruption.

Council finance and assets spokesman Colin Huckle said: “A councillor working group has been looking long and hard at this and I’m pleased that we are at the stage to look at the consultation results. The consultation will help us move onto producing final designs in order to realise the very real and tangible benefits of moving out of the North Quay offices. We’ll be able to cut our running costs and regenerate the harbourside with a high quality mixed-use retail and residential development which will bring economic benefits for both the council and town in line with our vision for the borough.”

Proceeds from the sale of the council’s Guildhall building and together with Government money – awarded in recognition of the council’s partnership working – will help pay office conversion and moving costs of about £650,000.