February 18, 2015 9.54 am This story is over 108 months old

Lincoln Jobcentre to move into City Hall in October

Jobcentre move: Lincoln Jobcentre Plus is relocating to City Hall later this year.

Lincoln Jobcentre Plus will move into City Hall later this year as part of plans to create ‘a new public sector hub’ in the city.

City of Lincoln Council has agreed, subject to contract, to lease the first floor west wing of the building to the Department for Work and Pensions, aiming to provide an improved, experience for users.

Jobcentre Plus hope to relocate from their current Orchard Street offices by the end of October and work will be carried out to City Hall, also located on Orchard Street, to accommodate the move.

City Hall, off Orchard Street. Photo Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

City Hall, off Orchard Street. Photo Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

As a condition of the lease, DWP will fund the remodelling and also part of the refurbishment costs required to relocate some of the city council services (an undisclosed sum).

The council has said that services will continue to run as normal while the works take place over the summer.

Lincolnshire County Council, which currently occupies around one third of the building, has indicated it intends to leave City Hall once its current lease expires in June this year.

Angela Andrews, Deputy Chief Executive of the City Council, said: “This move will benefit the local community greatly as it will provide joined up services from a single location at a reduced cost to the taxpayer.

“We’re making sure that our services are not affected while the changes to City Hall take place and are really looking forward to being able to offer more services under one roof.”

Michelle Simpson, Lincoln Jobcentre Operational Leader, said: “We will continue to offer the full range of services currently available at Lincoln Jobcentre and effectively enhance our service delivery, reducing the cost to the taxpayer and providing more of a “one stop shop” for services.”

The city council’s Executive is recommended to approve the proposed works to City Hall at its meeting on Monday, February 23.