Options for Town House roof repairs to be outlined

19 August 2015

A business case will be prepared for councillors to decide how to proceed with repairs to the historic Aberdeen City Council Town House roof.

Officers will draft a report detailing a number of fully-costed options available to elected members after new information emerged concerning the condition of the clock tower and spire.

Councillors were given a verbal update on the extremely complex project at a meeting of full council.

City Council officers are now preparing the business case, which will be presented to a meeting of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee on September 15.

Finance, Policy and Resources Committee Convener, Councillor Willie Young, said: "The reason that I asked for this report was because of the importance of this building to the city of Aberdeen and the necessity to ensure best value to the council taxpayer in terms of the cost of the repairs.

"The Town House is a vital part of the city's heritage. The repairs and renovations must be of the highest quality as befits a structure that is close to the heart of Aberdonians."

The work on the 150-year-old A-listed building includes the renewal of slating and the replacement of rotten woodwork as well as ironwork and lead detailing, some of which is believed to be unique in the UK.

Councillors were told that access to the roof area was very limited, which meant that a detailed visual inspection was not possible until recently.

Once access was gained, it was found that the gables, pediments, louvres, capitals and pinnacles were constructed of a timber core which was covered entirely with lead. Up to that point, it has been thought that the construction was most likely to have been of granite.

A subsequent examination of the building features and material highlighted considerable deterioration.

The City Council is now seeking to find the most cost-effective way possible to complete the vital repair work.