A COUNCIL which has come in for criticism from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) over the poor standard of some of its offices wants to borrow money from its neighbours to put things right.
Cash-strapped Harrogate Borough Council needs a £210,000 extension to its "inadequate and overcrowded" technical services department headquarters at Knapping Mount, which has been the subject of complaints from visitors over the crowded reception area.
Almost 50 staff are based at Knapping Mount - a former private house - and its annexe in West Grove Road, Harrogate. HSE inspectors have criticised "excessively overcrowded offices causing considerable staff discomfort and disquiet.'' The annexe, intended to last for 10 years, was built in 1973.
Chief engineer for construction and building management, Martin Weeks, says providing additional temporary space is the only way the council can afford to ease the situation.
A two-storey extension to the annexe and a roof extension to the main block would provide another 214 square metres of space, at an estimated cost of £210,000.
The council intends to use borrowing approvals granted to North Yorkshire neighbours Hambleton and Ryedale to fund the scheme, which will result in debt charges of £19,000 a year.
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