CONCERNS were raised over “diminishing” the capacity of the town hall as plans are being formed to move information centre staff into the building.

Discussions are ongoing over plans to have Fordingbridge Town Council and information centre staff in the same building.

A meeting of the town council’s general purposes committee on Wednesday, May 20, was told sketch proposals have been distributed and reviewed by staff, who have sent back comments and suggested amendments.

These will be sent back for further review and then returned to the town council.

The Fordingbridge Information Office is currently based in Kings Yard in Salisbury Street. A representative from the information office said: “From our point of view in the information office we meet the needs of the service so wherever we’re based it is fine. To be honest being on a high street is probably the best footfall for us.”

The meeting heard there would be scope to reconfigure the town hall.

Councillor Malcolm Adams said the “capacity” of the town hall will be “much diminished” and the toilets were on the wrong side of the building which he said could cause problems for the drains which were on the other side of the building.

“I’m not happy about reducing the size or the capacity of the town hall,” he added.

Cllr Adams also asked whether the conservation officer should be consulted.

The meeting was told the revised proposal would be brought back to councillors for further discussion.

Mayor, Councillor Edward Hale wanted to keep moving on the proposals It was agreed it would be discussed by the town council’s finance and policy committee, which would be meeting sooner.

Preparations for the reopening of the information office with installation of protective screening were discussed.

The committee agreed the best option would be one metre high desk standing screening around the entire counter - the total cost being £479. There would also be no additional cost for cutting out an area to pass papers or card payment machines.

Another quote obtained by the town council from contractors used by New Forest District Council came in at £1,800 plus VAT for two metre high floor standing screens with an overhang at top for additional protection.

No date has been set for the reopening of the information office.