Council 'looking at options' for Town Hall as it opens new offices

The new 'customer-focused' premises in Penrith will open to the public for the first time on Monday, June 17.

Voreda House has been transformed from a former NHS office into what the council describes as its 'energy efficient, northern anchor' building.

It has been designed to be the first retrofit office building to meet the PassivHaus EnerPHit standard in the UK, with energy savings estimated at 85 per cent.

The council said this will 'contribute positively' to the council’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and providing leadership in the drive to be carbon net zero.

Allan Harty, the council’s assistant director of corporate assets, fleet & capital programme, said Voreda House on Friargate offers a significant upgrade on customer experience.

The exterior of Voreda House (Image: Westmorland & Furness Council)

He said: “As a council, we are committed to understanding our customers, identifying what they need, ensuring our services are accessible and using our assets to deliver those services effectively.

“The opening of Voreda House is a key milestone in that commitment as it brings our staff together in a modern, fit-for-purpose building and helps us deliver more efficiently for the public.

“While the project started life under the former Eden District Council, it has been adapted and developed to make good on the new unitary council’s commitment to keeping its wider range of services close to the public.

Moving out: Penrith Town Hall

“It provides a prominent focal point for those wishing to access our services in the Penrith area and also retains a significant number of high-quality jobs in the local area.”

After this Friday, council staff will no longer be based at Penrith Town Hall or Mansion House and there will be no access for the public.

Work is underway looking at options for the future of the listed Town Hall, on Corney Square, and these will be considered at a later date, the council said. The building has been used by the council since 1906 when it was created from two neoclassical houses on the site.

Mansion House, on Burrowgate, is due to be put back on the market for sale. Plans to sell the building go back more than ten years.

Mansion House, Penrith

Voreda House’s opening reflects the council’s aim to create service ‘hubs’ in each of its main locations – Barrow, Kendal and Penrith. Last week the council agreed to focus further development in Kendal at the modernised South Lakeland House / Kendal Town Hall.

What services will be available at Voreda House?

A full range of services will be represented at Voreda House from Children’s Services and Adult Social Care to Housing, Public Health, Trading Standards and Waste.

Reception and customer access will be from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 4.30pm on Friday.

There are accessible parking spaces, cycle racks and a publicly accessible toilet.

In the reception area, those with limited online access will be able to carry out self-serve internet-based tasks such as applying for blue parking badges, checking bin collection information or viewing and commenting on planning applications.

Finishing touches were being made to the building this week, including resurfacing the pavement around the building to aid pedestrian access.

The building’s heating and cooling is provided by air source heat pumps. Solar panels on the roof are estimated to generate around a third of the building’s energy requirements. Considerably improved air tightness, greater thermal insulation and triple glazing all contribute to the building’s energy efficiency.

The Registration Service (Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships) will remain in Penrith Library.

The council’s general number for enquiries is 0300 373 3300.