Murdo has raised concerns over the lack of Council staff working in Perth city centre, with new data revealing that only one in five staff currently based at Pullar House are actually working in the building.
He feels the lack of Perth and Kinross Council office staff in Perth city centre has played a major factor in a notable fall in footfall in the city centre.
Figures supplied to the Scottish Conservatives through a Freedom of Information request reveal that the highest average weekly number of Council staff working at Pullar House from April 4, 2022, to March 6 this year was only 226. The local authority has confirmed to the Scottish Conservatives that 1,068 Perth and Kinross Council staff are currently employed there.
The Council had previously told Murdo that there was a reported circa 25% occupancy level at both Pullar House and 2 High Street after he had written to them in November last year, when he highlighted the concerns of constituents and some businesses about a drop in footfall over several months in Perth city centre.
Commenting, Murdo Fraser MSP said: “These figures for staff numbers working at Pullar House in Perth are extremely disappointing and concerning as they show that only 1 in 5 Council staff are actually working there. I believe this has been a major factor in lack of footfall in Perth city centre.
“We have lost a number of retailers from Perth in recent times, and many constituents and friends have told me they are concerned about the appearance of the main shopping streets, with a proliferation of empty units and ‘To Let’ signs.
Murdo continued: “In the Council’s reply to my letter to them last year, they said they had started to see a further increase in staff working at Pullar House and 2 High Street. While the average weekly attendance at 2 High Street is still around 25% occupancy levels, the numbers at Pullar House are very low indeed. The highest average weekly total there is 226, which is well below the total staff number of 1,068.
“I understand that there will be some staff based at Pullar House whose roles – such as in the care sector – mean that they are out on the road constantly. However, many others who could be in the office appear to be still working from home. This was understandable during the Covid pandemic but I find it disappointing and concerning that it still seems to be the case.
“I realise that for some Council staff, particularly ones with young families, working from home may suit them, but I would urge Perth and Kinross Council to encourage their staff to go back and work from their offices in Perth city centre where possible. Even a model of hybrid working with several days a week spent in the office would benefit the city centre economy.”
