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Cost cutting identifies surplus Council property

As part of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s ongoing cost cutting exercises, and as part of our 2019/20 Budget, They have been reviewing thier property stock to identify where they can combine services and accommodation. This has resulted in a number of properties becoming surplus to requirement.

A Council spokesperson stated “By reducing  property requirements, we save on business rates, energy, cleaning repairs, refuse, servicing and maintenance and security.
Members of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Policy and Resources Committee (13 June) will hear a report on two properties: Offices at 52 – 56 Queensberry Square, Dumfries; and Penninghame Centre Offices, Newton Stewart.
Queensberry Square offices have previously been used as one of the Council’s Customer services hubs, incorporating the Council’s Homeless service. Since 2016 staff across the whole of the Council have reduced and as a result a further reduction in office accommodation is possible.
To continue to focus on supporting our customers, and with particular recognition of the needs of vulnerable people, providing Members agree, the Homeless Service would relocate to Irish Street, Dumfries. Our Irish Street offices is currently occupied by Social Work, Education and Lifelong Learning and Wellbeing and by incorporating our Homeless Service at this hub customers will be able to utilise more than one service if needed.
The release of the Queensberry Square offices would provide a revenue saving of £44k per annum and once vacated would become part of the Council’s property disposal process.
The Penninghame Centre, Newton Stewart is currently occupied by Social Work Adult Services and the Children and Families teams. The Children and Families team are due to relocate to Douglas Ewart High School this month (June 2019) to improve access to the service for children and their families. Adult Services are due to relocate at Minnigaff Health Centre as part of the Health and Social care integration.
Vacating the Penninghame Centre would provide revenue savings of £20k per annum and once vacated would also be subject to the Council’s disposal process.”
Chair of Policy and resources Committee, Rob Davidson said: “Not only do these proposals make sense from the perspective of making savings, they would amalgamate much needed services together to provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ for those who need help from a number of teams.”
Vice Chair, Elaine Murray said: “These buildings, although no longer required by this Council, will be made available to Community Groups though our council’s Asset Transfer programme, ensuring that they will remain in use and provide opportunities for those looking for central properties to provide their own services.”

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