An £874k Christie Clock replacement would pay for “three new council houses”
During the recent full meeting of Stirling Council, it was highlighted that the cost of restoring Stirling’s iconic Christie Clock would be equivalent to building at least three new council houses. The council decided on an £874,000 restoration plan for the listed clock, which involved extensive stonework repairs. Cheaper options were also presented, such as restoring the clock head with a new stone column (£827,850) or opting for a new stone clock head and column (£808,753). There was also an option to retain the plinth with capping (£33,800) for a future restoration project.
Conservative leader Neil Benny criticised the high cost involved in the restoration, pointing out that the amount could be used to build three houses. He expressed concerns over spending such a significant sum of money to rectify a mistake made in the past, stating that the council would essentially end up with the same clock as before but at a much higher cost.
The decision to go ahead with the £874,000 restoration was supported by 19 out of 21 councillors, with one abstention and one vote against. Councillor Benny argued that despite the high price tag, this restoration option presented the best opportunity for the council to fulfill its obligations to the people of Stirling. He emphasized the importance of looking after the council’s assets to prevent incurring regretful costs in the future.
Earlier in the year, Stirling CAB released a report highlighting the significant percentage of people in temporary homeless accommodation in Stirling, following Glasgow and Edinburgh. Councillor Benny also raised concerns about simply capping the plinth as a cost-saving measure, stating that deferring the restoration could lead to even higher costs down the line.
The Christie Clock restoration project was necessitated by a failed repair attempt that led to the clock’s demolition. The aftermath was described as a “catastrophe” caused by a series of missed opportunities and systematic failures. Despite the criticism and concerns over the cost, the majority of councillors supported the restoration plan for the historic clock.
Summary:
The decision to allocate £874,000 for the restoration of Stirling’s Christie Clock has sparked debate over the high cost involved, with comparisons made to the potential construction of affordable housing. While concerns were raised about the expenditure, the council ultimately voted in favor of the restoration plan to address past mistakes and preserve the historic landmark. The importance of asset management and fulfilling obligations to the community were highlighted during the discussion.