By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Nottinghamshire County Council is reviewing plans to spend £28 million upgrading its offices after confirming staff would spend more time working from home in future.
The authority approved the project in February 2020 as part of an ‘Investment in Nottinghamshire’ programme.
Under the proposals, a new building with office space would be built next to County Hall – moving staff currently working at Trent Bridge House close to the cricket ground.
A new flagship building would also be built as part of the Top Wighay Farm development, near Hucknall, at a cost of £14.7 million.
This building, the council said last year, would set a “new benchmark” in environmental sustainability.
The plans also feature £3 million improvements to Meadow House in Mansfield and a £2.75 million investment in new office facilities in Worksop.
However, calls have been made for the plans to be reviewed after the authority approved its hybrid working model last week.
The new strategy will offer flexibility for county council workers to work from home and in the office, reflecting changing practices during the pandemic.
And now a leading councillor has confirmed the £28 million investment is under review.
Members of the authority’s economic development and asset management (EDAM) committee will assess the plans when documents are put forward in the autumn.
Councillor Keith Girling (Con) is chairman of the EDAM committee.
Providing an update to full council on Thursday (July 22), he said: “It is currently under review to make sure it aligns with the hybrid working model.
“A report on the outcome of this review and next steps will be submitted to the EDAM committee in the autumn.
“All members of the EDAM committee will be able to consider the proposals at that time and provide constructive input, to ensure we have an office estate that is fit for purpose.”
Councillor Girling added it would be “inappropriate” to consider the outcome of the review at this stage.
He said: “We’re not going to commit or say we’re not going to do anything, until we understand what the requirements are in terms of the estate.
“Officers deserve to be working from appropriate buildings so they can deliver the services they are here to deliver.
“It’s our responsibility to make sure that happens. It will go through the EDAM committee.”
The councillor’s update came following a question from the opposition calling for the move to be paused.
Councillor David Shaw (Ash Inds) represents Hucknall West.
He said: “Now is the time to pause these plans until we have a clearer picture of whether the new offices are actually needed.
“Bringing the issue of spending £28 million on unnecessary buildings is, if nothing else, economic folly.
“The decision should be reviewed and brought to committee.”