Dangerous RAAC concrete has been found in a building the council was hoping to move to.

Wokingham Borough Council leaders have confirmed plans to leave their headquarters on Shute End, with the former site of Marks and Spencer on Peach Street – which the council owns – earmarked as a likely new location.

But council deputy leader Prue Bray announced that the dangerous concrete had been found there, in a survey of council properties. This was after the government ordered more than 100 school buildings across England containing RAAC to close.

Councillor Bray said: “One building has been identified with confirmed presence of RAAC. This is the former Marks and Spencer building at 28-38 Peach Street, Wokingham. The RAAC is not structural and is an area of the building not accessed by the public.

“In the long term it has already been proposed that we would replace this part of the structure if we proceed with the decision to move this council’s headquarters from Shute End into that building.

“So the presence of RAAC does not have any impact on the ability to deliver that move.”

READ MORE: RAAC concrete in Wokingham schools inspection completed

Council leaders are considering a move from Shute End as part of efforts to cut costs. They say the council no longer needs such a large building, with fewer staff working five days a week in the office.

Council leader Stephen Conway explained the plans at a full council meeting on Thursday, September 21. He said: “It’s only right and proper that when we are having to make savings the council’s estate should make a contribution.

“This building is far too expensive to run in our current circumstances. Thanks to modern flexible working practices, especially working part of the week from home, a building of this size is no longer needed.

“We can therefore save the council tax payer money by moving to smaller accommodation that is cheaper to run.”

Councillor Conway added that many councillors would feel “emotionally attached” to the Shute End building. “I’ve spent many happy hours in this council chamber,” he said.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was used in construction between the 1950s and 1990s, and many more than the 156 schools the government has identified could contain it, along with other buildings.

But it contains tiny holes that make it more brittle, and allow water in that can cause metal bars inside them to rust.

Wokingham Borough Council has confirmed that none of the schools it is responsible for – and none of its other buildings – contain RAAC.