Renfrewshire Council has been criticised for its decision to close its Paisley main office at weekends.


The local authority’s HQ, in Cotton Street, will not be available for staff and councillors on Saturdays and Sundays.


However, the move has angered some councillors who work at weekends.


Councillor Derek Bibby, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch, said: “I just think that Renfrewshire Council is a seven-day operation. Is this a precursor to job cuts? It seems to me that this is financially driven.


“A public service should operate on the basis that, if one person needs it, it’s open. 


“Renfrewshire Council is a public service, so even if it’s employees or elected members who need to use it at the weekend, it should be open.”


Councillor Eddie Devine, who represents Paisley Southeast, also hit out at the change in opening hours at Renfrewshire House, describing it as “completely unacceptable.”


He said: “We have got four or five councillors who come in at weekends. They come in and do their emails. All your paperwork and contacts are in the building.”


Staff and councillors have been asked to consider alternative arrangements, such as working from home but Cllr Devine has said this is not always possible.


He added: “We do work at home but sometimes you don’t have the stuff you need and you need to go in. It’s limiting our ability to serve.


“People pay us to work for them. People expect staff doing it seven days a week and they’re entitled to expect that.”


A council spokeswoman said the decision to close the building at weekends was because it was not “cost effective” to open.


She added: “A decision was made to reduce the hours Renfrewshire House opens after a review indicated the limited usage of the building means it is not cost effective to open routinely at weekends. The building will be open at weekends for the next few weeks to allow a transition to the change.


“Councillors who require access over the weekend can submit advance notification and arrangements can be made for the building to be opened for them.”