The wait is almost over as £7.1m HQ beckons for Broadland and South Norfolk councils

Two Norfolk councils will finally complete their move into a shared office – a year after they agreed the £7.1 million purchase.

Broadland and South Norfolk councils are finally expected to complete the move to the Horizon Centre on Broadland Business Park on May 30.

The pair agreed to the move in May last year but did not complete the purchase until September.

Councillors at both authorities had questioned the need for the switch and whether the figures for the purchase stacked up.

While South Norfolk Council’s old Long Stratton office has been shut since late last year, Broadland’s will shut on May 26 while the transition takes place.

The Horizon Centre has been empty since Aviva staff moved out in 2021.

The site is expected to be larger than the needs of the councils and sections – including the second floor and an annexe – could be rented out to generate extra income.

Rather than having a purpose-built council chamber, meetings are expected to be held in a conference room, which could also be available for hire.

A statement on the council’s website said the move will “provide huge savings” for the two authorities, with the new HQ expected to deliver lower running costs thanks to hundreds of solar panels already installed, and lower carbon emissions.

It added: “The building also has existing electric car charging points that could be used as a revenue generator by making them available to residents out of hours.”

What will be done with the old offices has not been confirmed.

South Norfolk held a meeting in April when councillor were expected to decide who to sell the old offices to. But councillors voted to delay the decision.

It was triggered by several factors, including whether Long Stratton Town Council and community could work with or develop a bid themselves and whether making a decision was appropriate so close to an election.