Braintree Council's proposal to move out of its current headquarters to new premises has proved to be a talking point among councillors and residents in Braintree district over the last 12 months.

However, the latest idea to potentially move to Witham has provoked further controversy.

Here, some leading community figures explain what they think about both ideas.

Eric Lynch, Labour councillor for Braintree east, said: "I do feel that currently up to today, the councillors and all the electorate have not been given any logical grounds for moving out of Causeway House.

"For a 30-year-old building this really isn't on. If that is the case, then somebody's head should roll for not keeping the premises up to standard for the last 30 years, while they are talking of the possibility of moving to a building in Witham that is two years older than this building."

"I personally feel if the council offices had to move, we don't have any God-given right that we have to stay in Braintree."

He said the council could be located anywhere in the district, but should not consider Mayland House until people are convinced Causeway House is unfit for purpose.

"They could get a very good revenue stream from letting that building.

"I don't believe the council can say no to Marsh foregoing the lease - it's a question of what we are doing with that building.

"Moving to Witham is far, far better for the district council than building a new building."

Doug Rice, Liberal Democrat councillor for Braintree South, believes the only reason for leaving Causeway House is financial and he wants the proposal debated at full council.

"I think the proposed move is ill-conceived because the site was purpose built in the first place. In fact, I believe much time and effort was made into seeking an ideal site, which is what they have got," said Mr Rice, who has been a councillor for 23 years.

He believes moving the council from Braintree would have a psychological impact because it is the town's main "paternalistic organisation" to whom people look for leadership.

Mr Rice, who is also concerned about how staff feel about moving, said: "The feeling I get, rightly or wrongly, is it's purely for financial reasons. If there isn't a very good logistical reason [for moving] we must very seriously consider this in open session.

"I would not support this move if it's purely for financial reasons."

He said the initial proposal to move to Braintree bus park is also unnecessary.

"The budget making has been done a month early. Many of us were asking for this issue about Causeway House and the building in Witham to be at open council to discuss it.

"We wanted this discussed before any budget setting," he said.

James Abbott, Green councillor for Bradwell, Rivenhall and Silver End, said the two priorities were council staff and residents.

"All of us as councillors spend a relatively limited time in the council offices but the staff are there every day.

"They have to live with the decisions we make every single day and so do the residents," he said.

Mr Abbott and his colleague Phil Hughes have heard some staff are concerned about moving.

Neither are they convinced that residents will benefit.

"I have never seen any convincing report that I think Causeway House is not fit for purpose," said Mr Abbott.

"We are wondering as a group of Green councillors what the benefit would be of moving out, other than maybe a quick financial gain."

Mr Abbott said residents would still want to visit the council, even though it has been proposed that Mayland House would only be for back office functions.

He said many residents do not use the internet or phone, so ideas of video conferencing and emailing would not work in practice.

"I strongly suspect for them services will deteriorate badly. Obviously it's our most vulnerable residents we have to consider," said Mr Abbott.

"I can understand we could encourage staff to go to Witham by public transport but if they then go out in the field to do site visits how will they go to an isolated farm by public transport?"

He said there is nothing definite about Essex County Council moving in with Braintree Council either to share the office space, which would help cut costs.

Mr Abbott said renting Mayland House could raise a substantial sum each year. However, the money gained from the sale of Causeway House is uncertain.

David Mann, Labour councillor for Bocking north, said: "The comments that I have listened to from Braintree people have been overwhelmingly opposed to a move to Witham. History, geography,economics and demographics have all been cited as reasons to stay in the town."

Bob Evans, leader of the Labour group on Braintree Council and representing Witham north, questioned how a move to Witham would benefit residents there at the cost of those in Braintree and the rest of the district?

"Mayland House is in very good condition, it could easily be tweaked and altered to accommodate the full needs of the staff and administration as they are at Causeway House currently," said Mr Evans.

"That is not the issue. The issue is if you move to Witham, what's going to happen to Causeway House?"

He said £6million to refurbish the current headquarters is too much but there no case to justify moving out as yet.

"If £6million is needed to put Causeway House right and fit for purpose, if that is the case Causeway House should at this juncture be condemned because if we were in a house and someone said you have to spend £100,000 on this house, you are more or less saying the house is not fit to live in and get out," he said.

Mr Evans also accused the administration of "being economical with the available information" and stirring up a hornets nest.

"We really have to ask what price consultation? What price seeking views from the public when it is not going to make any difference?", he said.

Phil Barlow, Labour councillor on Witham Town Council, said: "For once they are thinking about Witham as opposed to the Braintree-centric thing they have had for years.

"I don't think they would have done this unless forced by necessity.

"This is bringing the Marsh building back into use."

The influx of staff could benefit local shops, but it is unclear if the numbers were on a par with what has been lost at Marsh.

"The interesting part will be what the long term future will be for where they ***the council*** are going to base themselves," said Mr Barlow.

Sandra Howell, Conservative district councillor for Witham Chipping Hill and Central, believes a move to Witham would be good for the town, but council staff's concerns also have to be considered.

"I think it could be a very good move obviously for Witham's economy. It will be a very good move because people who will be working there will be spending in Witham.

"But you have to look very hard at whether it could cost people not in financial terms but in terms of upheaval."

Mrs Howell said the whole thing hinges on Essex County Council moving in with Braintree Council and a move to Witham has not been cut and dried.

"If you have staff travelling from Chelmsford it's easier for people to get to Witham than Braintree. The biggest concern and worry is for Braintree staff coming to Witham," she said.

Mrs Howell believes Causeway House does need a lot of work and the idea of moving to Witham has made councillors think about how the council could operate in future.

Paul Ryland, chairman of Witham Town Centre Strategy Group, said any impact on Braintree Council moving to Witham was "irrelevant" and the extra workers will not have much effect on the economy.

"Braintree and Witham will never run together smoothly and it would be far better if we went our own ways."

Michael Bardell, president of Braintree and Bocking Civic Society, said: "The notion that buildings that are 27 years old need to be stripped back to the brick, that's just absurd."

As a former head of estates for the territorial army and cadet forces in East Anglia for 30 years, Mr Bardell said more than two contractors need to be contacted for prices for refurbishments.

The council had contacted two independent contractors for the cost of refurbishing Causeway House.

He also believes Braintree is the best place for the council.

"Braintree is historically the important town in the district and it should keep the council," he said.

"The whole thing based on giving up a 27-year-old building which is too big for a 29-year-old building which is also too big doesn't make sense."

In response to the comments made by those concerned about a potential move, Braintree Council leader Graham Butland said: "We have not yet made a decision.

"The paper will be coming to the February Cabinet with all the reports."

He said it will depend on what the recommendation is as to whether under the constitution the issue is discussed at Cabinet or full council.

"We are going to have a paper which will be in public which will have all the options there.

"I want a fully worked up paper from the officers showing what the pros and cons are of the options.

"Unlike the critics, I am not going to jump one way or the other with a prejudiced view.

"If it says we stay in Causeway House, we stay in Causeway House.

"If it says we move we move."

And if the council did move to Witham, Braintree would be continue to be represented in the way it is currently.