LAUNCESTON Town Council has voted against selling and replacing the existing Guildhall Furniture, despite a recommendation from the Properties Committee to update the room in order to make it more accessible to future users.

The issue was initially discussed by the council's properties Committee at the beginning of the month, when they looked at the future needs of the council and other users of the Town Hall in regard to the Guildhall.

It was generally agreed that the current configuration of three large tables and eighteen large chairs was not ideal, as there was no flexibility, it was difficult to fit all council members round the table and space for the public was limited in the rest of the room.

The committee felt that the purpose of the Town Hall refurbishment plan was to encourage increased use of the whole building, both commercially and for the community.

It was agreed to recommend to full council that the furniture be sold and replaced.

The recommendation was considered at the full council meeting in the Guildhall on Tuesday, January19.

Councillors were told that by selling the existing furniture and purchasing new, it would make the space in the Guildhall more flexible.

Clerk to the council, Rita Skinner, said the furniture takes up a "huge amount of space."

She said the chairs were purchased in 1990, and although they were match resistant, they were not fire retardant, which meant they wouldn't be able to sell the chairs at auction but they could be sold privately.

Rita said she appreciated that the tables were older, but added: "In the new town hall when you want to increase usability, we are going to need more flexibility than these tables and chairs are going to afford us."

The idea of selling the furniture wasn't favoured by all councillors. Cllr Olver Harris said the judge's chair, which is situated in the Guildhall, was a bit of local history.

Cllr Tony Sandercock added: "I think this should be kept as a council room."

Cllr Pam Davey asked what the tables would be replaced with. She said that all the councillors wouldn't be able to fit round a smaller table.

However, Cllr Brian Hogan said that if the idea went ahead of licensing the town hall as a community centre for civic marriages, they would need a space that is more adaptable.

"The space will be more usable with different furniture in it."

Cllr Rob Tremain said that although he wasn't a great fan of change, the town hall will be used for varied purposes, and could be utilised a lot in between meetings of the town council. He asked where they would store the existing large tables of that size when they are not being used for their council deliberations.

"It's going to be a completely renovated town hall complex and it's going to be the time to bite the bullet and move on."

The Mayor of Launceston, Cllr Paul O'Brien said: "We're taking on a huge debt (with the refurbishment project) and many have expressed concern about it. We have to make maximum use of the facilities we have. That will mean that this room cannot be devoted to being a council chamber.

"I think the recommendation from the Properties Committee is well founded, it's common sense."

But Cllr Eric Chapman said he agreed with Cllr Sandercock, and asked councillors to look at the quality of the wood under the photos of the past and present mayors of the town, as well as the fireplace.

"I don't think we have to change everything just because we're doing up the town hall."

The clerk responded: "I do have a certain sympathy. It will make it difficult for me and the staff to maximise the return on investment if it remains as it is."

Cllr Colin Warne said the council wouldn't get a lot of money from the sale of the furniture, but he added that he couldn't see anyone wanting to get married with it in situ.

The quality of the oak tables was highlighted by Cllr Mary Williams, who said she was worried about giving up the Guildhall for their meetings.

Cllr John Harris said: "I just think you'd lose part of the town, you'd lose part of the Guildhall."

Cllr O'Brien said he was going to defer the decision until councillors had heard a report in the closed section of the meeting.

Following the meeting, the 'Post' learned that councillors decided not to go ahead with the sale of the Guildhall furniture, as they like it as it is.