Confusion reigns on civic centre

The news that part of Sunderland Civic Centre had to be closed this week following heavy rain could add more weight to the argument that it’s time for action to be taken on its future.

Sunderland City Council (SCC) HQ’s Committee Suite, had to be shut on Monday for safety checks and cleaning.

And on Tuesday some meetings due to be held in the suite’s rooms had to be moved.

The closure comes after it was revealed earlier this week that a £44,500 report on the state of the building was still waiting to be released to the public, more than a year since being completed and delivered to the council.

The authority said more information on the future of the Civic Centre would be released “in due course”.

Deputy leader Michael Mordey said: “A wide-ranging report on the future of the civic centre is being drawn up.”

The view that the landmark city centre building is now not fit for purpose is gaining more favour.

Conservative opposition leader Coun Robert Oliver said the site was “showing its age” and that “something has to happen”.

And it seems even more likely that the ruling Labour group would probably agree with him.

The building does seem outdated and on far too large a site for what is now needed.

And what’s more it’s a prime city centre plot – ideal for a huge retail development, office space or homes – or even a prestigious new railway station, as some of our readers have suggested.

We await the council report on the future of the civic centre with much interest.