Lochaber staff prepare to move into new council offices
Offices of The Highland Council at Lochaber House in Fort William will close their doors for the last time at 3 pm on Tuesday 22 May so staff can relocate to their new offices at Charles Kennedy Building, the former secondary school opposite West End car park on Achintore Road.
The Service Point and Registration offices will reopen for business on Friday 25 May at 9.30am.
Should anyone require any advice or assistance from Tuesday afternoon until Friday morning they are advised to contact The Highland Council Service Centre on 01349 886606 or call the Inverness Registrars on 01463 256400. Alternatively people can visit the council’s website www.highland.gov.uk to report issues, make payments or request services. Payments can also be made at any Post Office.
Lochaber Committee Chair, Councillor Andrew Baxter added: “Staff have worked hard to keep any disruption to a minimum during the move. The new office will allow us to deliver our services more cost-effectively and efficiently. The net annual revenue saving to the Council is expected to be around £100,000 after meeting the capital financing costs.
“By providing a modern, flexible, accessible working environment we are bringing benefits to both staff and customers and freeing up more buildings in the town centre to create more future development opportunities.”
Plans are well underway to move staff and their equipment over the three days next week. As well as re-using 95% of existing desking, the council has given away substantial amounts of furniture, filing cabinets and office supplies to the local voluntary sector. A public auction sale of all remaining furniture and bric-a-brac from Lochaber House will take place on Saturday 26 May in the Council Chambers. The auction will start at 11am with viewings available on Friday 25 May between 2pm and 7pm and on the day of the auction from 8am to 11am.
Included will be a wide selection of furniture, fixtures and fittings including desks, tables, vintage Rowland stacking chairs, swivel chairs, filing cabinets, cabinets, cupboards, tea sets and glasses, pictures, shelving, curtains, telephones, artificial plants, printer and ink cartridges, lever arch files, desk trays, notice boards, screens. Railway themed items include a clock from Fort William Railway Station made by James Ritchie & Son, Edinburgh and railway flags - naming of Loch Rannoch and the Super Sprinter Service.
For more details and a copy of the catalogue please contact Linda on 01397700800 or Email: info@bosslochaber.co.uk
