Council headquarters in Eastwood could shut to save money under a plan which would see offices in Barrhead improved.
East Renfrewshire Council is reviewing its offices following the covid pandemic as hybrid working has left many desks unoccupied.
With around £30m of savings currently needed over the next three years, council officials have suggested closing offices which are “surplus to requirements”.
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Two options are being considered and an appraisal is expected to be ready by March. One option would see the headquarters, on Rouken Glen Road, closed and staff moved to either Barrhead or offices at Spiersbridge Way, Thornliebank.
The other idea would keep the current Eastwood headquarters and end the lease of offices at Spiersbridge Way.
Officials reported offices are “expensive to maintain” with the cost of heating and lighting in the three main offices in 2021/22 reaching £213,000. It is expected to increase to £457,000 by 2023/24 due to rising fuel prices, and general running costs for the buildings were just over £1m last year.
A council official said: “Post covid, the introduction of hybrid working has left even more desks unoccupied that does present us as a council with an opportunity to reduce person to desk ratio and consequently save money.
“It gives us the opportunity for the council to operate fewer buildings and that comes at a welcome time given the financial challenges and also the environmental challenges in terms of reducing our carbon footprint.”
He added: “This isn’t just an intention to have fewer buildings, we also need to have better buildings that are fit for purpose.”
If the headquarters were closed, birth, marriage and death registration services could move into Eastwood House or a new Eastwood leisure centre. Eastwood House could also be used as a civic chamber.
It has been reported renovations to the headquarters are “financially prohibitive” due to the “construction type” of the building. If it was demolished, a vacant site would be available for “future opportunities”.
Under option two, if the headquarters were retained, the lease would be ended at a Spiersbridge. Officials believe this could be beneficial as the building is less accessible for the public and the headquarters is seen as the “traditional base” of the council.
Council leader Owen O’Donnell said: “We’ve got £30m of savings, I think this is part of that story and I welcome that we are looking at this project.
“The impact of covid and how we work as individuals has fundamentally changed, it’s absolutely appropriate and timely that we do look at desk ratios and where we actually need buildings now, particularly for those who are able to work on a hybrid basis.”
The offices at Barrhead Main Street are expected to be retained “given its size and adaptability”. Council officials see the building as having a “regeneration role” in the town and believe more staff using the offices can increase footfall.
Investment would be needed for renovations and to install energy efficiency measures. Hybrid meeting technology would also need to be installed, reducing the need for staff to travel between buildings.
Almost £2m was allocated for improvements to the Barrhead building in 2018 but work was delayed due to covid. Designs are now being costed.
The lease of the Spiersbridge offices expires in February 2026 and if the building is handed back, the council would need to pay the landlord around £500,000. There is an option to purchase the building before the lease ends.
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