MEMBERS of the public crammed into Bentham Town Hall to voice their concerns about a proposal to refurbish the building.

The public meeting was called by Bentham Town Council, which plans to fund the refurbishment by adding an additional £25 a year to council tax bills.

Members estimate that the cost of building an extension, installing a lift and moving the kitchen and toilets will be £200,000.

"The idea is that, subject to everyone being in agreement, we will ask all ratepayers to contribute £25 a year," said town mayor Thomas Marshall.

"We plan to take out a loan and the annual contribution to pay back the borrowing would be the same for the next six to seven years depending on the costs."

The refurbishment scheme was put forward after a grant became available through the Market Towns Initiative.

"There is £40,000 worth of grants that we are able to access and the biggest criteria is that we have to spend it before March 31 next year, so things will have to happen fast," said Coun Marshall.

"There are further grants available for which we would have to match funds."

He continued: "This is just an initial meeting. There are certain basic requirements. We have to house the tourist information office and the development trust in the building, and we need a lift for disabled access to the upper floor without which we're breaking the Discrimination Act."

Complaints were raised that the meeting was called at short notice and that the capacity of the downstairs function room would be reduced to accommodate the lift and disabled toilet.

"We're cramped like sardines in here already," one resident complained.

There was also concern about the cost to ratepayers as a significant proportion of the population of Bentham was pensioners.

"It will cost everyone, including pensioners," said Coun Marshall.

"If we don't do the work on the town hall, the local authority could close the place down so we are in a no-win situation.

"If people in Bentham don't want to do it, fine, we won't do it."

Since the meeting there has been "no negative feedback", according to the mayor.