Freezing council staff turn heat on managers

PERTH AND KINROSS: Authority bans personal heaters from Pullar House

Council officials in Perth have been accused of behaving like Scrooge after ordering staff to remove personal heaters from offices during freezing weather. Staff working at Pullar House claim many had to resort to wearing scarves, coats and blankets as a result of the ban.

Employees complained to their bosses about the temperature within the Kinnoull Street offices in Perth earlier this week.

However, they claim their pleas were ignored – and laid the blame at the feet of what they called penny-pinching managers.

Perth and Kinross Council say the decision was taken because personal heaters use up significant amounts of energy.

They also warned that the devices could present a fire hazard.

Council chiefs have been described as behaving like “Scrooge” by irate office staff after their heaters were taken away.

Several council workers at Pullar House in Perth claim they were forced to wear scarves, gloves, coats and blankets to try to keep warm as temperatures plummeted earlier this week.

Perth and Kinross Council has confirmed they did take away personal heaters but stress this was done as they represented a fire risk.

One council worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “On one of the coldest days of the year the council removed all personal heaters for staff in Pullar House to save money.

“Staff were sitting at desks wearing scarves and gloves, coats and blankets to try to stay warm.

“The council ignored staff complaints about this.

“What a way to treat staff at

Christmas.”

Another employee added: “It’s a disgraceful way to treat staff, especially at the festive time of year.”

However, a council spokeswoman defended the decision.

“The heating system at Pullar House is currently working as expected,” she said.

“Personal heaters can consume significant amounts of energy and can present a fire risk if they are not maintained properly, are accidentally left on overnight or if they are placed in enclosed spaces such as under desks where they may overheat.

“The energy team are continuing to monitor the internal temperatures across all of the council’s major buildings.

“Some staff may have chosen to wear additional layers, which might include their coats if they haven’t brought a cardigan or jumper, but as temperatures are 19 degrees and above the majority of the time this would be personal choice and not essential.”

She continued: “As with any large building temperatures can vary, but thermostats are set for 19 degrees Celsius during working hours.

“This is in line with the council’s policy to reduce carbon emissions and bring significant reductions in energy costs.

“While the current cold spell means the building is colder than normal, temperatures within the building remain well above 19 degrees most of the time.

“Information has been provided to staff to explain how to make best use of the heating system within Pullar House.”

“While the current cold spell means the building is colder than normal, temperatures within the building remain well above 19 degrees most of the time