Burnley Town Hall repair work bill of £1.5m. and counting

The borough’s finance boss Coun. Maggie Lishman highlighted the delays as she outlined problems with the borough’s capital programme to fellow members of the council’s executive on Tuesday night.

The Renaissance-style Grade II-listed building was opened in 1888 on Manchester Road, built from sandstone with a central octagonal clock tower with a copper dome.

The project, which started in January last year, has already cost more than £1.5m.

A report to the senior councillors said: “All of the works to the roofs including the clock tower, enhanced lightning and edge protection have now been completed.

“This should secure the town hall against damage due to water penetration for many years to come. Work is also well underway on renovating the water damaged plaster and decorations above the main staircase in the Town Hall and repairing the oak frames to the stained-glass windows on the rear elevation.

“Earlier this year UK Restoration provided a report and cost estimate on the repairs to the stonework to the town hall. As agreed an independent third-party specialist was then commissioned to review the scale and pricing of the works.

“Due to the impact of lockdown the report was delayed but has now reported and is being evaluated in detail and will inform further actions.”

Other capital projects where work has slipped from the last financial year to 2020/2021 include Pioneer Place (£135,000), Sandygate Square (£526,000), Building Infrastructure Works (£310,000), and Padiham Townscape Heritage Initiative (£88,000).

Coun. Lishman said the £1.4m. total slippage in capital projects was mainly due to the coronavirus lockdown and subsequent restrictions.