Dunfermline City Chambers will reopen shortly after a £1.2 million refurbishment. The 10 month programme of work has included the creation of a new Local Office, meeting/interview rooms, toilet and baby changing facilities, and refurbishment of office space. External work on the roof, rainwater goods and windows is ongoing and is due to be completed in April 2013.

The Local Office at Walmer Drive and Registration Services at New City House will close on Thursday 8th November at 5pm, reopening at the City Chambers on 12th November. Abbeyview Local Office and Inverkeithing Civic Centre (for registration) will be open on Friday 9th November so customers will have alternative offices to attend if required. The City of Dunfermline Area Committee meetings will move back to the City Chambers from 8th November.

Councillor Mike Rumney, Chair of the City of Dunfermline Area Committee said: “The reopening of the City Chambers is great news. Its location in the heart of the town, close to the bus station and shops, will make it easy for people to access our full range of services from one place.

As well as modernising the interior of the building we have taken the opportunity to undertake restoration work to the fabric of the Grade A listed building. This is being funded by a £300,000 grant from the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) and is part of the Dunfermline City Centre Action Plan which is aiming to revitalize the area.”

The City Chambers is the latest project under the Council’s Office Rationalisation Programme which will reduce the number of office properties the Council occupies from 95 to 27. The remaining buildings are being designed and refurbished to a common standard, providing more sustainable and energy efficient environments where possible. The programme is also supporting the Council’s move to more mobile and flexible working which means that offices can be used more efficiently and customers receive a better service. Financial benefits include a potential income of £14.255m from selling vacated offices, and annual savings in running costs of £2.822m.