Midsomer Norton Town Hall update -why is it confidential
By Susie Watkins
25th Jun 2023 | Local News
![This is what the inside of Midsomer Norton Town Hall looked like on June 4 This is what the inside of Midsomer Norton Town Hall looked like on June 4](https://storage.googleapis.com/nub-news-files/nub-news-file-storage/468169/conversions/A1ScEEoCYTTDY0lbFNa4W1BTYyA37n-metaMjAyMzA2MDNfMTE1MjI3LmpwZw%3D%3D--article.jpg)
An update on the transformation of Midsomer Norton Town Hall is coming to the next meeting of the council - but it will be confidential.
Questions are being asked why details on what is the biggest - and costliest - public works in the town are not being talked about in the open.
The town hall renovations have been beset by delays, but as Midsomer Norton Nub News understood, works were now back on track and with new funding available the overall costs of Phase 1 of the project was now covered.
That said, the cost of revitalising the hall is a matter of some debate, although as has been repeatedly pointed out, the building was not fit for purpose and was increasingly falling into disrepair. Originally budgeted for £2.28 million but with interest on loans that is now thought to be £2.45 million.
Midsomer Norton Nub News approached several councillors to ask for an updated figure and for why the discussions were confidential, but none said they were able to comment ahead of the meeting.
In a post from resident of Midsomer Norton on why the decision to keep the town hall debate behind closed doors was very direct.
They wrote: " I would like to know why the biggest project in Midsomer Norton is being discussed in the confidential bit, a bit weird don't you think when it's my money paying for it. Shame on Midsomer town council or maybe it because it's been allowed to get out of control?"
In the last details about funding of the project, the B&NES councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for Economic & Cultural Sustainable Development, said: "The restored Town Hall which dates back to 1859 will be a real asset to the community as a resilient and adaptable space contributing to the next 160 years of Midsomer Norton life. When works began, the building was revealed to be in worse condition than expected so I'm pleased that the project remains on track. I look forward to seeing residents and visitors begin to enjoy this transformed community space at the end of this year.
Town Council will be meet on June 26 to discuss the new Locum Clerk and the Town Hall Refurbishment Project at 7pm at The Hollies.
Nub News went into the hall to see the latest work on June 4 when it was being scaffolded out ready for the internal work to begin.
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