Angry Labour councillors say there has been no proper consultation over the decision to sell Old County Hall and likened it to "selling off the family silver".

The building in Oxford is for sale following Oxfordshire County Council's decision in January 2024 to move its headquarters to Speedwell House in 2027.

The council said the sale offers the opportunity to move into "modern, net-zero accommodation enabling County Hall to be re-imagined by a new owner".

The profits from the sale will pay for the upgrading of Speedwell House.

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The building is primarily office accommodation and was completed in 1973.

Old County Hall dates from 1841 comprises the council chamber and coroner’s court and is listed Grade II*.

The council aims to move its HQ to an upgraded Speedwell House in 2027 (Image: Oxfordshire County Council) The county council has commissioned property firm Savills to assist with the sale. They are told to be looking for ‘a major national or international buyer’.

Councillor Andrew Coles, who represents Witney South & Central, described the move as “selling off the family silver without asking the family”.

Liz Brighouse, councillor for the Churchill and Lye Valley, said: “Councillors of all parties are extremely concerned at plans to sell off historic Old County Hall.

"This is an important, historic building to our county and has been in public hands since its creation.

“Councillors were shocked to find that the cabinet intends on selling off Old County Hall, despite documentation showing that it is of limited commercial value.

"A working group of councillors also objected. Their views have now being ignored.

“Unlike the Triangle saga around Oxford United, plans by the cabinet to sell this site have not been subject to prior public consultation or in-depth scrutiny.

"The cabinet urgently needs to think again.”

Susanna Pressel, former chairwoman of the county council and councillor for Jericho and Osney, said: “Local residents are perplexed at the plans. People want County Hall to remain at the heart of the city.

"They want to be reassured that it will remain equally easy to drop in with queries.

"Residents' voices need to be heard in a proper consultation."

Liz Leffman, the leader of council, has said: “County Hall is in a prime location in one of the world’s most famous cities and we anticipate a wide range of interest from the UK and across the world.

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“We believe that our decisions at County Hall and Speedwell House will improve the delivery of services and will help with the physical, social and economic regeneration of Oxford. We will use the move to stimulate this ambitious thinking for the city and the county as a whole.”

The county council said the issue was discussed by Performance & Corporate Services Overview Scrutiny Committee during 2023 and by cabinet in January 2024.

County councillors were then given a full update at a briefing last Thursday (September 12).

A council spokesperson said: "Having carefully considered the options, cabinet approved for old County Hall to be included in engagement with organisations interested in the building.

"This is to keep all options open so market interest can be understood. It will enable the council to make an informed decision about the future of this unique historic building.

"No decisions have been taken on Old County Hall."