Perth and Kinross Council says the multi-million-pound redevelopment of its Perth headquarters is both “on time and on budget”.
In one of the biggest projects undertaken at local level, the majority of the structure at 2 High Street, Perth, has been covered in scaffolding with builders busy ripping out much of the inside of the building.
Council staff moved out in January to temporary accommodation at The Atrium on Glover Street, with council committee meetings being held at the Dewar’s Centre.
It is understood the council HQ will be completed by Christmas next year, in a move which is aimed to “preserve” the building for future use.
A council spokeswoman confirmed the mammoth project is on schedule and should be within the budget set out in January.
“The budget for the redevelopment of 2 High Street, Perth, is £9.7m, approved in October 2014 at council and the project is currently on time and on budget,” she said.
In October last year, councillors agreed to the investment to carry out “essential maintenance requirements” on the building to make sure it can continue to serve as an office and civic accommodation well into the future.
Council chiefs feel the redevelopment of 2 High Street part of the overall Perth Office Programme should save money and energy costs, and allow the public to access services more easily. The scheme has already seen waste services, roads, parking and licensing payments and applications move into the council building at Pullar House, Perth.
The spokeswoman added: “The works were initially 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.
“As with all office moves in the Perth Office Programme, both the accommodation at The Atrium and the refurbished 2 High Street building make the most of flexible working patterns and modern technology to create workspaces which can reduce the council’s overall space needs.”
Council leader Ian Miller said: “We hope to be back into the building by next Christmas and the finished article will save us a large amount in property costs.
“By making maximum use of this property we hope to vacate other office accommodation thereby bringing an overall saving in the budget. It will also provide the city of Perth with much improved civic facilities, befitting Perth’s standing as one of the seven major cities of Scotland.
“This major refit will provide us with a building that will serve Perth and Kinross Council, and the community, for many years to come.”