Plans to share office space in Abingdon with Oxfordshire County Council could bring savings to Vale tax payers of more than £200,000. The proposals, agreed in principle by the Vale's Cabinet last Friday, could see the County Council rent two floors of the Vale's offices in Abingdon. The building is currently under used by 40% and more efficient use of the space can see more staff working in the building, which will in turn bring more people to the town centre to help drive the local economy. Some backroom staff who currently work for both the Vale and South Oxfordshire will be moved to offices in Crowmarsh Gifford, whilst all frontline services will be maintained in Abingdon. It is also hoped that the Citizen's Advice Bureau may also wish to move into Vale's Abbey House when their current lease expires. Cllr Matthew Barber said, "This is an ideal solution to the problem of vacant office space. We are able to join forces with the County Council who are looking for office space in Abingdon; provide better joined up services to the public; maintain Abingdon as the centre of administration for the Vale; and to top it all save Vale taxpayers around £200,000 every year. The report setting out the proposals can be found here. Further negotiations will now take place to resolve the details with a final decision being taken by the Vale's Cabinet in due course. **** UPDATE **** Bizarrely the Liberal Democrat opposition have taken the need to oppose a bit too literally. Today they have put out a press release claiming - incorrectly - that the public would have to go to Crowmarsh Gifford. Around 18 months ago the Lib Dems on the Vale asked questions at a Council meeting asking why it was taking so long to produce savings from sharing offices; the simple answer in this case is that the County Council's current lease doesn't expire until 2014. Now a solution has been found to ensure the Vale's sovereignty, save public money and improve public services - they have decided to oppose it.