Aberdeenshire Council is set to spend almost £100,000 to refurbish an adult support centre in the heart of Peterhead.
The future of the King Street Resource Centre will be discussed at a meeting of the Buchan area committee next week when it is expected councillors will endorse plans to completely renovate the property.
It is hoped the work will enable adult service workers to lower the risk of homelessness within the community and provide a modern facility where a range of holistic services can be accessed.
Ritchie Johnson, the authority’s director of business services, has urged councillors to back the scheme.
It would also create a one-stop service in the north-east for marginalised groups such as travellers and people who identify as LGBT to access care more effectively and in a sensitive manner.
Mr Johnson said approval of the project would see £97,723.49 set aside for the work.
He added: “Should the committee disagree with the recommendations, the report will be referred to policy and resources.
“Finance have confirmed that this funding forms part of the annual service budget, and all other criteria are applicable, therefore it is appropriate that this decision is taken by Buchan area committee.”
Work on the site would start on May 23 and be finished on July 1. An asbestos survey will also be carried out to ensure the site is not contaminated.
Tenders have already been submitted by firms who are willing to carry out the refurbishment, which will include reconfiguring the existing office layout and replacing its lighting, decorations and flooring.
The resource centre in the port has been the subject of scrutiny by the local authority in recent years, and, at one point, was on a list of council-owned offices that it was considering closing.
It has also been used as a temporary library, while the port’s main facility was being refurbished, and homed the council’s integrated benefits section and cash collection teams.
Buchan area committee meets on Tuesday to discuss the proposal.
