Cost of Crieff Town Hall revamp revealed
The bill for a wide-ranging revamp of Crieff Town Hall has been revealed.
The substantial series of work carried out at the historic High Street premises last year set Perth and Kinross Council back a total of £178,379.88.
The figure, which includes VAT, was revealed under Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation following a request submitted to the local authority by Crieff resident Ian Hamilton.
A spokesperson for the council explained the money was used for a full re-wiring, the installation of emergency lights and fire alarms, and the fitting of a heating system designed to reduce energy consumption.
Low-energy lightbulbs were part of the work, as was the premises being kitted out with a new access ladder and hatch to provide safe access for servicing of the clock tower.
The council representative said slates were replaced, new flashings were installed on the roof and lime pointing was carried out to leaking chimneys and walls.
One of several surveys carried out as part of the project resulted in changes to the first-floor toilets to make them fully compliant with disability equality legislation, with a new fully-compliant WC and access ramp installed at ground level.
The response to Mr Hamilton’s FOI request also explains, owing to the work being carried out, the existing floor covering had to be removed for new electrical cabling to be laid, the inside of the building was painted and new carpets were fitted.
Keen history enthusiast Mr Hamilton, who stressed he submitted the request acting in a personal capacity, said one of the reasons he asked for the information was after being told by contacts in the construction sector the final total could be a lower figure.
He also expressed concerns as part of his enquiry related to water ingress, the building’s basement – which houses artefacts known as the Crieff Monuments – and the access arrangements with Crieff Succeeds Business Improvement District (BID), which took over the tenancy of the building after VisitScotland pulled out.
With regards to safeguarding the basement from water damage, PKC’s FOI response went on to state what was described as‘tanking work’was not included in the previous project and “... was to be done under a separate project and is noted under this financial year’s planned projects.”
Mr Hamilton said he felt this meant a substantial amount of additional public money would need to be spent on the building below ground level, and called on Culture Perth and Kinross – the custodians of the monuments – to realise the significance of the items, particularly as the BID team is already well into its initial five-year plan.
He said:“There doesn’t seem to be an understanding of how significant these monuments are.
“My worry is [after the BID’s initial five years are complete] they will be left there with the door locked.”
A spokesperson from Culture Perth and Kinross said:“Culture Perth and Kinross has no comment to make on any speculation around the future of the town hall.
“We are continuing to work with the Crieff community, with Crieff BID and with Perth and Kinross Council to ensure that there is, and continues to be, public access to the objects in question.”