Social Care Minister David Ashford has pledged that the decision to move the adult social care division to a new location will not have any adverse effects.

In the House of Keys on Tuesday, Lawrie Hooper (LibVannin), sought an assurance that the division’s move from the building it shared with social security, Markwell House, to the nearby Murray House, would not lead to lost ’synergies’ between the two.

The switch was triggered because government technology services, which rented office space from the privately-owned St Andrew’s House in Finch Road, wanted to centralise its offices at Markwell House in Market Street.

’Adult social care has moved to Murray House, where children and families services are also based, and this has facilitated the co-location of the major service elements of GTS into Markwell House,’ he said.

’This ultimately saves government £304,000 per year in rent as St Andrew’s House is completely vacated.’

Adult social care had been based on the third floor of Markwell House since 2010. But the relocation to Murray House, in Mount Havelock, had not affected the working relationship with the social security division, said Mr Ashford.

’The operational relationship is facilitated through regular meetings and communications with regard to protecting the vulnerable, amending social security regulations or supporting people through the benefits system,’ he added. ’The two buildings remain only a short distance apart.

’Adult social care will continue to work collaboratively with colleagues in social security to monitor, report and address any areas of operational practice relevant to one another.’