OXFORD'S historic County Hall could be sold as council chiefs look to offload property.

The main building of Conservative-run Oxfordshire County Council houses most of its administrative staff but a senior councillor says "nothing is off the table" – including its possible sale.

Oxford Mail: Cabinet member for cultural and community services Lorraine Lindsay-Gale with some of the recommended reads for teenagers at Summertown Library

Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, the cabinet member tasked with leading a fresh review of the authority's property, which includes offices, fields and farms, said: "We want to get the best value for money for taxpayers and looking again at our estate portfolio is part of that.

"We are going to start from scratch and look very carefully, place by place.

"That means nothing is off the table, including County Hall."

Mrs Lindsay-Gale said the review was due to report back next month.

The county council owns about £700m worth of real estate, but much of this is school buildings.

Since 2005 it has sold some 100 buildings, although only about 30 of these were in the past five years.

But as budgets cuts mount in other areas, including bus subsidies and children's centres, the local authority has come under further pressure to make more cash from its assets or sell them for a quick profit.

It recently moved 272 staff from Speedwell House, in Speedwell Street, to County Hall.

There are now just 40 staff based at the four-storey Speedwell House, which councillors have said should be sold for redevelopment.

Conservative county councillor Kieron Mallon, a former cabinet member for property, has also long called for the authority to ditch County Hall, in New Road, and move out of the centre of Oxford.

The Grade-II listed building was built in the 1840s and hosts the council's debating chamber.

Its more modern, brutalist extension, known as New County Hall, was added in the 1970s but Mr Mallon said it should be bulldozed.

He added: "Clearly the historic parts would have to remain, because they are listed, as well as the coroner's court, but the newer section is an ugly carbuncle of a building that detracts from the other elements.

"I see no reason why it should not be looked at in a review of property, because nothing should be ruled out.

"I have often questioned why 63 councillors and all of our council staff have to add themselves to Oxford's existing traffic problems.

"It would be far more sensible to have our administration buildings outside of the city."

A county council spokesman refused to disclose how much County Hall was worth.

The spokesman said options for Speedwell House also remained "under consideration".

In the 2015/16 financial year, the county council said about £2.5m had been made by selling property assets.