New Falkirk Council HQ plan '˜still on the table'

Councillors will have to wait until at least June for a report on whether plans to build a new headquarters and arts and civic centre should go ahead.

By The Newsroom

Published 22nd Mar 2016, 09:35 BST

Updated 22nd Mar 2016, 11:54 BST

Plans to replace the Municipal Buildings still on the table

The ambitious £21 million-plus scheme – branded a ‘vanity project’ by the SNP – was put on hold before Christmas amid fears EU accounting rules and VAT issues could send costs soaring.

When Falkirk Council met, director of development services Rhona Geisler admitted the impact of both issues have still to be clarified – and warned an update might not be ready before the summer break.

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, leader of the SNP Group, criticised the delay.

She said: “We need to know what’s going on here. The administration has to be up front about this.”

Provost Pat Reid said: “We are all anxious to see this report, but the proposal is still on the table.”