The leader of Perth and Kinross Council has launched a staunch defence of the £10 million refurbishment of its headquarters.
Councillor Ian Miller claimed the finished building will be in keeping with Perth’s “fast growing reputation” as a modern city with “big ambitions”.
He was reacting to barbed comments from Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, who slammed the project and said the local authority are guilty of “profligacy” by spending around £150,000 on new chairs and desks for the £1m upgraded council chambers.
The Conservative politician raised the matter recently at Holyrood, asking if the £9.7m scheme was a priority in these “straitened times”.
However Mr Miller, who revealed the work is both on time and within budget, yesterday told The Courier the refurbished council headquarters will actually save leasing costs, and described the project as an ideal opportunity for the local authority to “lead by example” by creating a “modern, flexible headquarters within a historic city centre”.
“As usual, Murdo has got it wrong and is left shouting from the sidelines,” he said.
“The work provides an opportunity to modernise the council chambers by creating a ground floor level flexible space which is more accessible and welcoming to members of the public who wish to attend council meetings.”
He continued: “The new chambers will have a civic hub where the public can view council meetings on a big screen, which wasn’t the case before.
“Anyone who has visited our existing chambers will be aware that the public gallery has a relatively narrow entry and requires visitors to walk up a small flight of steps to access it.
“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.
“The work at 2 High Street forms part of the larger Perth office programme, which aims to reduce the number of city centre offices occupied by the council.
“It will save money on leases and energy costs and allow customers to access services more easily.
“By focussing on key properties, including 2 High Street, the council aims to retain a strong presence in the city centre in buildings which are fit for purpose.”
Mr Miller also claimed the work, which is expected to be completed by Christmas, will ensure the building can “continue to serve” as office and civic accommodation well into the future.
“The works will be funded by prudential borrowing, which will be offset over a 30-year period by the savings in rental and utility costs which the refurbishment and reduction in office buildings will bring.”