- Further to previous Technical Notes, Members were advised our structural engineering consultants have confirmed the presence of RAAC within the rear section of Bearsden Hub and that the building will need to close until further notice.
- Our consultant engineers have now confirmed the roof to the rear of the building will need to be replaced in full, and given the presence of services which run throughout the building this will require a full closure with no opportunity for a partial reopening during the construction period.
- Design, building warrant and tender documents will be finalised between now and April 2024, with procurement of a main contractor expected thereafter.
- Currently officers are projecting all works will be complete by the end of the calendar year. This remains subject to review as the design develops and the construction programme emerges. Progress updates will be provided as the project progresses.
- Officers have established a working group to discuss and agree how services currently accessible from the Hub will be provided elsewhere in the Bearsden area during the closure period. This is further detailed below:
Public toilet facilities
Options for the provision of temporary public toilets within the town centre remain under consideration. Several solutions continue to be explored, with costs obtained for a number of those proposals. Officers expect to identify a preferred solution before the end of February.
Library facilities
The opening hours at Westerton Library have been extended and will remain so during the closure period. The current additional opening hours for Westerton are Wednesday 10am until 8pm and Saturday 10am until 5pm.
Access to archive materials
Archive materials currently stored within the Hub will be retained on site with limited access to be provided only in exception circumstances.
Customer Services
Customer Services face to face delivery will continue to be provided at the Council’s other three Community Hubs in Kirkintilloch, Lennoxtown and Bishopbriggs. In addition, temporary customer service delivery for the Milngavie & Bearsden locality will be provided on an appointment basis in Milngavie Enterprise Centre on a Wednesday and Friday afternoon between the hours of 1pm and 4pm from Wednesday 28 February. This is consistent with Hub opening hours and appointments can be made in the usual way by phoning 0300 123 4510 or by emailing the customer services email address customerservice@eastdunbarton.gov.uk. These interim arrangements will be promoted online and through social channels.
Registration Services
This service will continue to be provided by telephone or online, however where there is a requirement for an in person meeting this will be facilitated at one of the Council’s other Community Hubs. In the event that the meeting can only take place in the Milngavie or Bearsden area, this will be accommodated at Milngavie Enterprise Centre by appointment only, on either a Wednesday or Friday afternoon between the hours of 1pm and 4pm. Similar to Customer Services, this will commence from Wednesday 28 February.
Day Care Services (HSCP)
Various locations are currently being used to provide a range of specialist services previously delivered from Bearsden Hub. This will continue pending further discussion around opportunities/the requirement for alternative service provision, the outcome of which will be advised in early course.
Parking
The car park at the Hub will remain closed in its entirety until the completion of all works. There is no safe way to reopen the spaces given the location and specific nature of the remedial work in addition to the design of the facility; i.e. one way flow of traffic around the rear of the building.
- The Communications & Engagement team will provide an update on these interim arrangements on the Council Website and through social media channels. In addition, officers will contact local Community Council’s direct to advise of the extended closure and proposals for interim service delivery.