Bradley presses Minister on better use of County Hall site

DUP MLA Maurice Bradley has once again pressed the Finance Minister to make better use of County Hall in Coleraine.

Back in October, difficulties with the layout of the building meant that County Hall missed out on additional jobs, following an announcement of an expansion of services provided by the Department of Communities for the Department of Work in Pensions in Great Britain.

In a question to Minister John O’Dowd in Stormont on Monday, Bradley asked for an update on the estate strategy review of accommodation needs at the Castlerock Road site.

The finance minister said: “My Department is assessing its entire accommodation requirement as part of the Civil Service estate.

"The implementation of the Civil Service hybrid working policy in 2021 has significantly changed how the Civil Service uses its estate and has provided opportunities to progress a leaner, greener, modern estate suited to the needs of the Civil Service in delivering today’s public services.”

Commenting specifically on County Hall, the Minister went on: “County Hall, Coleraine, was not included in the first-stage plans. I have, however, been advised that the building is under-occupied, and a review of the Civil Service’s accommodation needs in the area will be undertaken over the next 18 months.

“My officials are consulting the Departments that occupy that building to collect information and get a better understanding of their accommodation needs. Following that, we will engage further with Departments to consider how best to address their current and future requirements. Consultation with trade union representatives will, of course, be carried out as that work progresses.”

In response, MLA Bradley said: “The County Hall is a large building that is capable of accommodating 600 to 700 people.

“Currently, there are fewer than 200 people in it. It stands on the edge of Coleraine town centre. It is a landmark building that could be utilised better. I look forward to the Minister coming back to the House to give us an answer on how it will be utilised in the future.”