Talks continue as Aberdeenshire Council looks to rent out parts of its HQ
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Aberdeenshire Council is currently in talks to rent out part of its Aberdeen headquarters in a bid to bring in extra cash.
Changes to the Westburn Road building were included as part of a report into the council’s financial performance.
As part of the local authority’s budget, it was assumed that an external party would take up tenancy at Woodhill House to share business rates costs.
More than £5.5 million will be set aside to refurbish the first and second floor wings of the facility to ensure it is suitable for the new tenants.
Members of the local authority’s business services committee were given an update on the matter at a recent meeting.
Property chief Alan Whyte told the committee that the council is currently in “positive” talks with three partners who could soon take up office space at the HQ site.
He revealed that NHS staff would be making the move, with some workers already in place.
While it was hoped the new tenants would be fully moved in by September, Mr Whyte said it could be early 2024 until they “start to see numbers”.
It is believed that Police Scotland staff could relocate to the local authority’s base too.
Some members of the workforce have already moved to Marischal College, the home of Aberdeen City Council.
They made the move to their new offices in 2021 following the closure of the Aberdeen police headquarters on Queen Street.
The council is working on 15-year lease agreements, saying their future tenants would be there “for the long-haul”.
Mr Whyte explained that the “innovative” use of the building would see Woodhill House become a “public sector hub”.
He also said the move would lead to financial, operational and wider public sector benefits.
Committee chairman, councillor Mark Findlater, asked for a briefing note on all of the changes at Woodhill House to be sent to members.
He said the note would better inform councillors of the proposals and the ongoing work.
An NHS Grampian spokeswoman confirmed that the health board was having ongoing discussions with the council regarding a possible move into Woodhill House.
But she stated: “No final agreements have been signed.”
Members of the health board’s learning and development team had used parts of the council building before the pandemic.
The new deal could see administrative staff in Aberdeen join them following the move.
It is hoped a final decision on the tenancy will be agreed in the near future.
Meanwhile an Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said that “positive discussion” had been held with NHS Grampian and others over the potential lease of vacant spaces.
He also said that Woodhill House had provided accommodation for fellow organisations and businesses for “a number of years”.
