North West Leicestershire District Council has confirmed the cost of demolishing the authority's former offices in Whitwick Road.

The buildings had been the base for the council since the 1970s, but they were vacated last year after it was found they were no longer "fit for purpose".

The vacated site has since been eyed up for demolition with councillors even touting it as one potential location for Coalville's much-talked about cinema - which seems unlikely.

Now, the costs to complete the flattening of the offices was confirmed at £150,000 at last week's budget meeting.

The council said spending the money will remove future cost pressures as it will no longer have to pay to maintain and secure the building. 

It added the demolition would also free up the land for a potential future sale.

The boarded up building is now set to be demolished. Photo: Coalville Nub News

At the same meeting, the council voted to increase its share of council tax for the first time in 15 years. 

The authority has long prided itself on leaving its portion of the bill frozen to minimise the additional costs to residents.

However, it said this year cost pressures were "so significant" that it had to draw more from local households to make sure services "are financially viable". 

The rise will add £4.36 to the bill for a Band D property. 

Charges for some services like trade waste collections and sports pitch hires will also increase by seven per cent, the authority added.

Residents in the district also pay tax to Leicestershire County Council, Leicestershire Police and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue so the overall increase in council tax will be higher. 

All three are also set to up their shares of the charge, with the county council approving a 4.99 per cent rise last Wednesday. 

The police have confirmed a maximum possible increase of £13 per Band D property, representing an increase of 4.76 per cent. 

The fire service share is increasing by three per cent – also the highest possible amount – working out at £2.36 a year more for Band D properties.

The authority was expecting to be £1.6 million short for the coming financial year, but has now managed to set a balanced budget. It had also been expecting a £4 million gap between income and spending over the next four financial years.

However, this has now been reduced to £2 million. The authority said "work to improve efficiency at the council, as well as increasing income and reducing outgoings" has led to a "more positive financial outlook for the authority".