The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Chambers relocation plan comes under fire
£850,000: Public anger at cost of proposed move downstairs
I think that this is preposterous. There is so much to be done in this town that £850,000 could put right. This is taxpayers’ money – I think it is disgraceful.”
Albert Horne
I totally disagree with spending this money when funding is so tight for care in the community. It could be better spent.”
Joy Milne
“I do not know how bad it is or how good it would be if it moved. If it is just about saving people walking up stairs I think it is a waste of money.”
Alan Mailer
Plans to spend nearly £1 million on a new council chambers in Perth have been slammed as “a vanity project” by a local businesswoman.
The relocation of the chambers from the fourth floor to the ground floor of 2 High Street is being contemplated to extend public access, reasoning which has angered Kairen Ruse, the owner of fashion shop Blues & Browns.
She felt that a much cheaper solution would be to improve access to the existing chamber which enjoys panoramic views over the River Tay, rather than spending £850,000.
“Why do they have to move something that has been in situ serving the citizens of Perth for many years,” said Ms Ruse. “It is a most magnificent chambers, it is beautiful. Money should be spent on making access easier, not moving, it sounds like a vanity project.”
In a report to councillors, depute chief executive Jim Valentine says: “The current location of the council chambers on the fourth floor of 2 High Street requires members of the public to progress through the building to attend or participate in public meetings.”
This means access for the elderly and disabled was limited, security was compromised by the unsecured passage between the reception desk and the chamber and posed potential fire safety risks in relation to managing an evacuation of the building, he said.
Mr Valentine said use of the historic Old Chambers across the street at 1-5 High Street had been discounted as it couldn’t accommodate the 41 councillors, officers and members of the public who might wish to attend.
The report to go before the councillors recommends backing the relocation of the chambers but it would be open to them to reject this path if they were not convinced by the arguments.
If the move is agreed the £850,000 cost would be borrowed, which would cost £60,000 annually, though this would be funded through net savings generated by changes to council office accommodation.
The estimate is made up of £700,000 for building works and £150,000 for furniture and audio-visual equipment.
Councillors and staff are currently out of the High Street building while it is the subject of a multi-million-pound renovation and are due to move back in the autumn of 2016.
Mr Valentine said now was the time to carry out the relocation of the chambers while the building was empty.
A council spokeswoman said the proposals were intended to make the chambers more welcoming and accessible to members of the public who wished to attend council meetings.
“While visitors in wheelchairs and with mobility problems can be accommodated within the chambers, this option provides an opportunity to make access easier for all.
“If councillors decide...that this is something which they wish to progress then there will be other works required to convert the existing chambers and committee meeting rooms on the fourth floor into office space which will allow us to continue our approach of rationalising the council’s property portfolio.”