Review of Council accommodation needs in Inverness and Dingwall

Highland Councillors are being asked to review the Council’s office accommodation needs in Inverness and Dingwall as it continues to manage its assets more efficiently and effectively. 

The Council has already opened new office accommodation in East Sutherland at Drummuie, Golspie, and is well advanced with proposals to redevelop new office accommodation at Market Square, Wick 

At Inverness, the Council has 35 office buildings and in Dingwall, employees are based at 12 different buildings. 

The Resources Committee, which meets on Wednesday 2 December, is being advised the rationalisation of office space will take a number of years to deliver and the Council is keen to make the most of opportunities for:

Mr Steve Barron, Director of Housing and Property, said: “The Council is committed to the achievement of best value in service delivery.  It has recognised that the rationalisation of its property assets is key to that agenda and has established an asset management team to take this forward.

“The Resources Committee will consider a proposal to undertake a review of its office accommodation, focusing initially on the premises in Inverness and Dingwall.  This review will consider the office space requirements of the Council in these communities now and in the future.  It will then identify and appraise the options available to provide this space.

“At this stage the review makes no assumptions about office location, ownership or funding.  The process will seek to identify the best value solution which meets the Council’s needs for the long term.”