Council accessibility row leads to change of venue

Town councillors will host their full council meeting away from their usual venue following a row over accessibility.

Monday night's meeting, which would normally take place at the council's offices at The Cross, will instead be held at Plas Dolerw in Milford Road.

It follows a debate and a row about accessibility to the first floor council chamber which is difficult for some councillors to reach. (Read a previous story here).

It had been suggested that the council hosting hybrid meetings - online and in person - would satisfy accessibility requirements. However, some members rejected this, saying alternative and easily accessible venues should be found until accessibility at the town council building was resolved.

In February, Cllrs Cal Howard and Richard White said they felt they were being discriminated against by not having an option to attend meetings, citing the Equality Act. Cllr Howard is Chair of the Service Committee which meets at the town council chamber.

A reconvened meeting had to be arranged to address the issues in March, and a decision to seek alternative venues was agreed upon. However, this was after letters from some councillors and a lengthy debate had led to criticism of the situation.

At a meeting on the 24 March, the minutes state: "Instruct full council to write letters to Cllr Val Howard and Cllr Richard White acknowledging and regretting the disappointment felt and concerns raised by Cllr Val Howard and Cllr Richard White following the council decision made at the meeting of 24th February 2025.

"Council asks Cllr Val Howard and Cllr Richard White to accept this recognition and acknowledgement ,together with the reversal of the council decision made on 24th February 2025 and subsequent council decision on 24th March to look into the feasibility of having a disabled persons advocate as demonstrating a genuine commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity as well as allaying any concerns around the possibility that there was ever any intent to exclude specific individuals."