Conservative councillors have launched a fierce attack on Maidstone Borough Council’s plans to spend £7.7million of taxpayers’ money on eco-friendly upgrades to its offices.
The authority plans to upgrade Maidstone House and the adjoining Link Building by replacing the gas heating system with low-carbon alternatives, adding secondary glazing, internal insulation, and new air handling units.
The estimated cost is £6.7million, with additional contingency and tolerance bringing the total to £7.7million.
The project will include the redecoration of office space and the installation of solar panels on the roof.
Conservative councillors have launched a fierce attack on Maidstone council’s plans to spend £7.7million of taxpayers’ money on eco-friendly upgrades to its offices
Cllr Claudine Russell, leader of the Conservative group, told the Green and Liberal Democrat cabinet she was “very concerned” about the proposals.
She said: “It’s an awful lot of money, taxpayers’ money, to spend essentially on our own office block.
“I do not think this is appropriate in the current economic situation.”
Green councillor Mike Summersgill, cabinet member for climate, defended the investment by highlighting that much of the buildings are let to commercial tenants, generating £1.35million annually.
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The authority plans to upgrade Maidstone House and the adjoining Link Building by replacing the gas heating system with low-carbon alternatives
He argued the upgrade would pay for itself within seven years and deliver energy cost savings of around £50,000 per year.
Summersgill said: “If the money were not invested, the rental income would decline.”
Liberal Democrat councillor Clive English dismissed concerns about impending local government reorganisation.
He said: “I expect whoever ends up as the new authority owning this building, they will benefit from having the tenants.”
The project will include the redecoration of office space and the installation of solar panels on the roof
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He added: “This building is not just for us (the council). It is for the tenants, the people who work there and the people they sell to, and the wider economy of Maidstone.”
Green Council leader Stuart Jeffery warned that selling the building in its current state would result in “quite a large write-off” in value.
Despite the criticism, the cabinet voted unanimously to proceed with the environmental improvements.
However, three Conservative councillors, Stan Forecast, Lottie Parfitt, and Claudine Russell, immediately called in the decision, preventing its implementation until further review.
Their call-in said: “We believe the substantial cost of this project, ahead of devolution and with little scrutiny provided for alternatives, justifies, on behalf of local taxpayers, this decision being re-evaluated by the overview and scrutiny committee.”
