Two council offices in East Renfrewshire will close over the festive period to save money on energy costs.
The council currently has a “surplus” of office accommodation, due to changing working habits as a result of the covid pandemic, and is carrying out a review.
It has identified a “one-off” opportunity to save money which will have a “limited impact” on services, a report to councillors stated.
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Members of the council’s cabinet agreed to close the Eastwood headquarters, on Rouken Glen Road, and offices at Spiersbridge Way, Thornliebank between December 23 and January 4.
A council official said: “Ordinarily we haven’t closed these two buildings, but during the festive period it does see a large number of staff taking annual leave, which can leave the buildings substantially under occupied.
“In addition, footfall from customers is limited as many local people choose not to access council buildings for services during this period.
“These offices, if not closed, still require to be cleaned and heated and require a staff presence for the purposes of security and opening them.”
The offices will close at 2pm on December 23 and the official said the “impact on the public would be limited” while the move would reduce heating and lighting costs. Savings could also be made on staffing and cleaning.
He added: “Staff that didn’t wish to take annual leave that work in these two buildings could either work from home if appropriate or base themselves either at the Barrhead office, which would remain open, or the Eastwood health and care centre, which will be open.”
Council chief executive Lorraine McMillan said: “What we are asking staff, if it’s not suitable to work from home, they can go into the Barrhead building and use that.
“We’re just really closing the buildings rather than reducing the service levels.”
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