News / New council headquarters open
THE COUNCIL’S new headquarters, already dubbed the White House, have been officially handed over to the new tenants.
The £7.3 million office block at the North Ness will accommodate around 200 council staff from 11 departments.
Built by local firm Hunter & Morrisons for the Shetland Charitable Trust property company SLAP, the building is being leased back to the local authority under a 30 year commercial agreement.
The new headquarters is expected to improve internal communication by bringing together council services under one roof.
Senior project manager for the council’s capital programme Craig Nicolson said the new building would make his life a lot easier.
“Having instant contact with staff and resources from other departments, and saving on travelling time to attend meetings in the centre of town, will make my working life a lot easier.
“It will also bring a feeling of ownership and inclusion for our service, which has been located out at the Greenhead and Gremista since 1998,” he said.
Council chief executive Alistair Buchan added: “The new offices present us with a huge opportunity to improve the way we work.
“There are the obvious tangible benefits like the fact we will be able to reduce time wasted travelling between offices, and save money on energy costs, but there are also intangible benefits in the way services will now be able to work more closely with improved day to day contact.”
The 3,000 square metre three storey building, completed on time and within budget, consists of two 12 by 40 metre office wings connected by a glazed atrium.
Council staff will start moving into their new work places this weekend.
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