Harrogate Council is preparing to move after Cabinet members voted unanimously to transfer offices to new multi-million pound premises.

It would mean Town Hall transferring to the site of the current North Yorkshire Police Station on North Park Road.

To fund the £12.4m pound move, five of Harrogate's main council buildings would be sold, including Crescent Gardens, Knapping Mount, Scottsdale House, Springfield House and Victoria Park House.

It is understood around 12 jobs - of the 500 currently employed - could go as part of the plans, but bosses hope to limit that to natural staff turnover.

Councillor Don Mackenzie, Leader of the Council, said:

"We recognised that decisive action must be taken now to enable the council to continue to provide our residents with high quality services at lower cost in the years to come. 

"Bringing our main administrative office staff based in Harrogate into a single building will make it easier to achieve fundamental efficiencies and save money.

"Selling our existing office buildings could generate an investment of up to £30 million into the district’s economy.  

"Our residents will have the benefit of a purpose built council office in the centre of town, close to public transport and providing direct access to all council services, as well as the police. 

"We believe that this decision, to be approved by council next week, is the right one for our residents and for our employees, whilst also supporting the local economy, creating homes and jobs, and reducing carbon emissions."

Full council will be asked to approve the move on 8 February.