A NORTH Yorkshire council’s plans to build new offices have been questioned by councillors who claim money should instead be spent on upgrading its existing facilities.

Harrogate Borough Council has tabled two options for its future accommodation as its staff are currently split between five sites.

The preferred choice would be to relocate entirely to new offices at Knapping Mount and sell its other buildings, in an attempt to save money by reducing running costs.

Coun Helen Flynn, the Liberal Democrat group’s shadow member for finance and resources, said: “We are still struggling to see how such a move can be justified, and although efficiencies may in theory be gained at some point in the future, the questions we keep coming back to are: what are the benefits of a move to a new site to the local taxpayer and when might they materialise?”

Council leader Anthony Alton said more efficient and environmentally friendly accommodation would “save real cash”.