Non-frontline Sunderland City Council staff could begin returning to offices from July, chiefs say

Many of Sunderland City Council’s workers have been forced to work from home over recent months due to restrictions imposed to halt the spread of coronavirus.

Some, such as those with responsibility for waste services or vulnerable children and adults, have continued working on site throughout lockdown.

But bosses say ageing office infrastructure could hinder efforts to get more back.

“I would like to think we can start getting back into the Civic Centre sometime in July, if we can start to see the coronavirus being controlled,” said Coun Graeme Miller, the leader of the council.

Fascinating video shows how Sunderland's new £42million City Hall...

“Obviously it depends on the R rate being under control, but the problem with the Civic Centre is the corridors aren’t wide enough.

“With two-metre separation it’s difficult to have people moving around safely, although once you’re in your office I don’t think that’s an issue.”

The city council’s current base in the Civic Centre opened in 1970 and is increasingly showing its age.

Maintenance bills run to about £200,000 per year, while leaks and other issues have seen sections of the building temporarily closed over recent years.

The ongoing problems prompted councillors to agree moving to a new home at the Vaux site in 2018.

The decision, described at the time as a ‘no brainer’ by supporters and a ‘vanity project’ by critics, is due to see the local authority relocate in to the purpose-built ‘City Hall’ from 2021 – a move Coun Miller thinks could serve the council for up to a century, as well as giving it the tools to help ride out possible future virus outbreaks and epidemics.

He said: “It’s lucky we were looking to build a 21st Century, green building when we were, with people able to move around easily, with a lot of natural light and which is easy to move in and out of.

“We also wanted to make sure our staff could work flexibly and we were moving towards that before the crisis occurred and that will stand us in good stead.

“If we have this again we will be in a better position to continue the work of the council.

“We’ve not had to change [the City Hall design] and I think that shows the quality of it – we were looking for a building that could last 100 years.”

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