Lincoln City Hall works approved as Jobcentre prepares to move in

Lincoln Jobcentre Plus will move into City Hall by the end of October, after plans to create a new ‘public sector hub’ were approved by the City of Lincoln Council.

The council will lease the first floor west wing of the building to the Department for Work and Pensions, aiming to provide an improved experience for users.

Approval by the council’s Executive Committee on Monday, February 23 means the contract lease will begin on October 26, 2015.

Work will be carried out to City Hall on Orchard Street to enable the centre to move from its current location, also on Orchard Street.

Lincoln Jobcentre on Orchard Street. Photo Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The DWP will fund the remodelling and also part of the refurbishment costs required to relocate some of the City Council services.

The new lease to the DWP will be for a period of 10 years, with a break option in year five.

The City Council is continuing negotiations with other potential tenants, and the total capital budget for the works to create a public sector hub is £1,385,000.

City Hall is currently shared with Lincolnshire County Council, who occupy one third of the building. The County Council intend to leave the building when their lease expires at the end of June 2015.

The loss of income from the County Council’s lease was valued by the City of Lincoln Council as around £470,000.

The proposals suggested significant income will be generated by the move, stating it will in part compensate for the loss of income from LCC’s departure.

Other building works will be carried out during the remodelling period including energy efficiency improvements and planned maintenance

Works to be carried out to the first floor of City Hall, beginning on July 1, include demolition of partition walls, new ceiling and lighting, asbestos removal and a bigger staff welfare facility.

The City Council say they are making sure that services are not affected by the changes to City Hall.

Michelle Simpson, Lincoln Jobcentre Operational Leader, previously 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.”