Emergency Care Centre to Be Sold Off

Bracknell Forest Council is selling Mallard House at Waterside Park to save money after councillors unanimously approved the move at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (November 3).

The building currently houses the Emergency Duty Service, which provides round-the-clock urgent social care for all six Berkshire councils. Bracknell's Forestcare team will also move to the council's head office in Time Square.

The relocation will cost around £380,000, but the wider sale is expected to generate a net saving of £25,000 plus extra cash from the sale of the building.

Cllr Paul Bidwell, deputy leader and cabinet member for adults, economy and regeneration, said a review of the council's property estate had identified Mallard House as 'surplus to requirements'.

He said: "The services have played an important role for many years but advances in technology and the availability of suitable accommodation at Time Square mean that we can now bring these services together in a more efficient way. The proposal enables us to release a surplus asset, secure a valuable capital receipt and deliver ongoing savings to the council while ensuring Forestcare and the Emergency Duty Service continue to operate effectively."

Cllr Bidwell said changes would be made to Time Square to give both teams the facilities they need. He added: "This is not simply about disposing of buildings but this is about making better use of public assets and reducing future liability and ensuring taxpayers' money is spent wisely."

The council has been asked for further details about how many staff will be affected, the costs of moving them and how the new arrangements at Time Square will work.

Forestcare provides round-the-clock support to help people live safely and independently at home, including emergency assistance, welfare checks, help after falls and personal care when usual carers are unavailable.

The Emergency Duty Service offers urgent social care outside normal hours for children, families and adults, responding to safeguarding concerns, mental health crises and cases where vulnerable people may be at immediate risk or left without support.

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter