Questions have been demanded about the ongoing costs of the Midsomer Norton Town Hall redevelopment, including what financial costs are still to be covered and whether the council has accounted for inflation.

At a some times bad tempered meeting of Midsomer Norton Town Council ( September 5) B&NEs councillor Shaun Hughes tried to get exact costings on the project. The first work at the Hall is expected to start this coming Monday, with councillors and officers already moved into Unit 14.

But Cllr Hughes expressed frustration at what he called the lack of transparency about costs and what is still to be paid out. He asked for details on additional grants that the council is still hoping to secure in order to start the next phase of development (Phase II).

He told the meeting at The Hollies that if the loans taking out for the hall, currently £48,000 a year for the next fifty years ballooned even more then Midsomer Norton's share of the council tax would be off the scale. " If that figure increases, how much more will the precept be," he asked the meeting., pointing out that it was not practical to stop work half way through any regeneration.

The project manager behind the work which is being planned at Midsomer Norton Town Hall, offered up the latest figures on costs and payments and the shortfall, which is currently £450,000. She added that costings HAD taken account of inflation.

Cllr Gordon Mackay responded by saying that everyone was agreed that Midsomer needed a market, and for that they needed a suitable building, so it was hoped that costs would also be recouped by increased income from renting out the new space.

Cllr Hughes later clarified what he had come to the meeting to say.

" Residents are increasing concerned by the costs of the Town Hall project particularly as we were assured that this would be funded by grants and yet here we are with a £1.5 million loan that will take 50 years to repay at a cost of £48k per year, so I was hoping for some reassurance that the project was now fully costed and would not result in further borrowings.

 The total cost for both phase 1 & 2 was confirmed as £2.28 million however with the loan interest the total cost of the loan will be £2.45 Million.

 Additional funds have been raised by taking £250k away from other high street projects to prop up the town hall costs, this includes £176k allocated for the walkway between south road car park and the high street.

 Other funds shown included £250k from the Architectural Heritage Fund however it was confirmed that this bid to date has been unsuccessful.

I also asked if the current figures include an allowance for 10% + to cover inflationary issues.

The shortfall of funding was shown as 616k however it was confirmed that currently you believe this to be £450k I did ask for some clarification and reassurance that the final build cost is known however the response from Cllr Richard Robinson was "how long is a piece of string?" and I would certainly be worried if this is your preferred accounting method.

To summarise please can you provide transparency, the current figures including the total build cost, a breakdown of the funds raised to date, any shortfalls and confirm there will be no further loans without public consultation. Also confirm that no further funds will be taken from other high street projects including the Island market square.

 As discussed the Town Hall project is not part of any recovery plan for the high street as currently none exists and whilst I agree that a town market will certainly help we need a much broader plan if our high street is to survive. "

Cllr Michael Evans said that the town has had countless plans for recovery of the Midsomer High Street - going back to 2010 - what was needed was some actual action on making the street a more vibrant place to visit.

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