UNDER-UTILISED parts of a council’s offices are set to be leased to a south Essex college to help it cope with a growing number of students.

USP College, off Kiln Road, Thundersley, will pay £44,000 a year to Castle Point Council so admin staff can use part of the nearby council office, freeing up “vital space for new classroom areas”.

According to council documents, the space at the council offices, on Kiln Road, have been under-used since the pandemic and leasing it out will help the council’s aim to transform the building into a “community hub”.

USP College’s chief finance officer, Steven Hendy, said: “USP College has seen growing student numbers, particularly at its Seevic campus, in Benfleet, since 2021, when the college received its first ‘good’ rating from Ofsted, which was re-confirmed in June 2024.

“Despite recent renovations, including new science labs, a brand-new health simulation ward and the on-going development of a new medtech building and learning resource centre, the college is seeking additional office space.

“The college has been investigating additional office spaces for non-student facing teams to generate more classroom and social space at the Seevic Campus.”

The move, if approved, will consist of business support teams, such as the marketing department and the MIS department relocating from the Seevic campus to the Castle Point offices.

Business support teams will have easy access to the Seevic campus and continue to have office space at the Palmer’s campus, in Grays.

The college is expected to invest in the space by installing new ceiling tiles and installing new carpet tiling, it will also redecorate the space and undertake electrical works.

Tom Gibson, councillor for special projects and assets, said: “Subject to cabinet approval, we will be delighted to bring USP College into the council office building in order for them to free up vital space for new classroom areas ahead of an increased student intake this coming September.

“If approved by cabinet, they will join our ever-developing community hub and join a wide range of community partners, allowing our various local institutions to work cohesively under one roof.

“Our aim is to transform the council office building into a community hub to provide a single space in which to carry out council functions along with a range of partners, providing both optimum customer service and value for money for taxpayers.”