Meetings may have to move from historic chamber

The historic Town Council Chamber might be abandoned for future meetings due to accessibility issues, town councillors will hear.

At it's next full meeting on the 27th January 2025, town councillors will be asked to note that the Town Clerk and Democratic Services Manager are actively exploring new 'meeting arrangements' for meetings due to the accessibility challenges faced by some councillors.

Currently located on the first floor of the historic Brisco House, the Council Chamber can only be accessed via stairs. This poses a significant barrier for individuals with mobility impairments, potentially restricting their ability to fully participate in the democratic process. 

The alternative arrangements may include relocating meetings to a fully accessible venue or progressing structural changes to Brisco House, such as the installation of a lift. However these structural changes would need to be considered as part of the broader Sarah Brisco House Transformation Project, a collaborative effort between the Town Council and the Sarah Brisco Trust, which owns the building.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the town council has met in a remote or hybrid fashion, with all meetings required by law to either be hybrid or remote only.