A RURAL authority is looking into the possibility of moving into purpose-built offices.

A review of Teesdale District Council's assets has said the council's offices at Teesdale House, Galgate, Barnard Castle, are unsuitable and has recommended moving into new premises.

However, council bosses have said the review is exploring different options and no concrete decisions have been made.

Four councillors carried out the review of Teesdale council's assets and have made several suggestions as to how the assets can be best managed and what assets should be kept or disposed of.

Their report said: "Members are inclined to conclude that the council should consider the option of relocating the council's offices to a new site and examining the option of the transfer, disposal or alternative usage for Teesdale House.

"Members recognise that this will be a complex process, but they conclude that this is an issue that the council should now address."

Teesdale District Council has been housed at Teesdale House since it took the building over from Barnard Castle Rural District Council in 1974.

It was originally built as a private residence in the early 19th Century.

In the past, council officers and members had said the building was unsuitable to cater for the growing needs of the council.

However, uncertainty over the council's future prior to last year's election for a North-East regional assembly meant any plans for a move were put on hold.

Now that the council's future looks more assured, one possibility is for new offices to be built at Stainton Grove.

The council is undergoing a transfer of its housing stock and when this goes ahead the housing depot at Stainton Grove could become vacant leaving enough spare land to relocate the council offices to this site.

The council's director of community services Mark Ladyman said: "There's no decisions been made yet and we're not seeking to do anything at all.

"But it would be amiss of us not to look into this.

"Teesdale House is not very conducive to working, it's a lot of little offices.

"It's not been purpose built, it's a lot of houses and shops knocked together."