Worried staff left County Hall weeks before 'legionella' closure

James Connell

28 June 2024 at 7:00 am·4-min read

CLOSED: County Hall is closed after issues with the legionella bacteria and also RAAC, the faulty concrete which is liable to collapse <i>(Image: Newsquest)</i> — CLOSED: County Hall is closed after issues with the legionella bacteria and also RAAC, the faulty concrete which is liable to collapse *(Image: Newsquest)*

WORRIED workers left the Worcestershire County Council HQ over safety concerns a fortnight before it was closed over legionella bacteria found in the water.

County Hall, the HQ of Worcestershire County Council, closed suddenly and unexpectedly last Friday (June 21) and remains closed a week later.

However, some workers had already been warned to leave a fortnight before it was shut because of safety concerns, primarily over the faulty concrete.

Workers have struggled to access and maintain the water system because of ongoing issues with RAAC, the faulty concrete which is liable to collapse, which forced the closure of the second floor.

LETTER: A letter telling all Defra staff to leave County Hall on June 7 this year (Image: Newsquest)

Meanwhile, candidates to become Worcester's next MP blamed 'chaos and decline' in leadership and branded the situation 'sad' and 'hopeless'.

The Lakeview Castle at County Hall also remains closed although a spokesman declined to comment to the Worcester News about the situation although, in a statement issued last week, they thanked customers for their loyalty.

Office space is needed and the council is looking to use the Wildwood offices just around the corner from County Hall.

CLOSED: County Hall, headquarters of Worcestershire County Council, pictured when it closed on Friday, June 21 (Image: Newsquest)

It is thought it will take another 10 days or so to get the offices ready to act as a temporary base for the council’s management team and other core services.

A letter to Defra employees (tenants at County Hall) told staff to work from home with 'immediate effect' from June 7 over safety concerns, a fortnight before the building was closed over the legionella bacteria.

DESERTED: A car park at County Hall on the day the building was forced to closed after the discovery of the legionella bacteria (Image: Newsquest)

The letter read: "Following further advice received as part of the investigations into RAAC, the council has taken a decision that they can no longer carry out these maintenance checks safely.

“We in Defra group Property have taken the decision to instruct all office-based staff based at this office to arrange to work from home with immediate effect and complete this transition from the site by close of play on Friday 14 June.”

Tor Pingree, the Green parliamentary candidate, said: "Due to RAAC at County Hall, it is harder for checks to be made for Legionnaires. It is therefore not surprising that Legionella was discovered.

"To allow proper inspection of the RAAC, props will need to be installed in the upper floor of County Hall, which will take around six weeks and mean that no one can use the building. This would probably have happened over the summer, but it makes sense to do this sooner as the building is already empty.

"Questions remain around the long-term viability of County Hall. Fixing the RAAC will be very expensive. Is it worth it? What are the alternatives? Do we need such a large building only half-full with council staff?"

Mel Allcott, the Liberal Democrat candidate to become Worcester's next MP, called it "A hopeless situation."

"Awful for staff cohesion. I am very sad to say I could see this coming. The building has been closed for so long. This county needs change, vision and forward-thinking leadership."

Tom Collins, Labour's parliamentary candidate, said: "The building is literally falling down, the water is unsafe, and it is people who are paying the price – with nowhere to work and an uncertain future. County hall should be a source of pride for us, now it is hidden in shame behind safety fences."

Conservative parliamentary candidate, Marc Bayliss, was also approached for a response.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “The email sent to staff and councillors on the 4th of June that referred to a number of control measures put into place at County Hall was shared with DEFRA at the same time. An update from DEFRA to staff based at County Hall was then issued a couple of days later.

“From the start of June we have been working on plans to relocate staff from the end of the month, including DEFRA, to temporary locations whilst further investigation works take place. These plans were shared with DEFRA who took the decision to ask staff to work from home with a planned exit of County Hall by 14 June.

“We have always, and continue to, adopt an immediate, precautionary approach. At all times, we have put the safety of our staff, tenants, and visitors first as this remains a top priority.

“Our staff, tenants, and members of the public have been kept informed and we will continue to ensure this happens.”

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