Croydon Council’s claims that Taberner House was a health and safety danger were scotched as it emerged no risk assesment report had ever been carried out.

The council cited the £1m yearly repair bill to keep the 40-year-old building safe as one of the main reasons for building new council offices set to cost £145m.

However, a Freedom of Information request revealed the council holds no health and safety or risk assessment reports relating to the future of Taberner House.

The council said it had carried out a “condition survey” that highlighted some problems.

A life-expired high voltage switchboard, deemed a fire or explosion risk, was replaced over a weekend in December last year by EDF Energy.

The council said it had spent £500,000 on making the building’s high voltage electricity supply safe. According to the council, the low voltage supply was also in need of being replaced in the near future.

The council also spent £85,000 fitting netting to the side of the building to prevent lumps of concrete flaking off and falling on passersby. Permanent repairs to this are planned for later in the summer.

The development falls under the council’s controversial Urban Regeneration Vehicle with developer John Laing.

The council said the repairs would only prolong the life of the building for another 20 years or so.

Leader of the Labour group Tony Newman said: “It is quite clear that Taberner House is in no danger of collapse. We believe the £40m estimated to carry out repairs could be halved with the right tendering process.

“Whether its £20m or £40m these figures stand in stark contrast to the £100m the council is spending on its new offices.

“I am sure a majority of council staff would rather keep their jobs and see local services provided for local people rather then see massive job and service cuts and money being spent on fancy new offices.”

A council spokesman said: “The condition survey identified urgent health and safety issues that needed to be addressed in the short term. Mindful of our statutory responsibility to staff and visitors, these works are being addressed.

“We have also undertaken studies showing the upkeep required to maintain Taberner House for a longer period of up to 25 years.

“It is estimated the building needs expenditure of some £40m. However, we would have little to show for such an outlay and still be left with a 1960s tower block that is increasingly expensive to run and inefficient to work in.

“The new hub, however, has been carefully designed for modern office needs and has the highest green credentials.

“It will be an investment for taxpayers and will pay for itself through lower running costs and the development profit the council will secure from replacing Taberner House as part of a major town centre regeneration.”