Town hall to stop holding public meetings

Public meetings will no longer be held at a city's town hall while repairs are carried out.

Peterborough City Council said from January meetings would take place at the authority's offices in Sand Martin House, in Fletton Quays.

The council said parts of the town hall, on Bridge Street, were not "fit for purpose" following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).

A spokesperson said further building surveys were expected to finish by Spring 2025, which would help establish when the repairs could be complete.

A spokesperson for the city council said: "The changes have been made following a review of the current arrangements, the condition of the building and fire safety of the premises, specifically relating to the requirements for evacuation of large numbers of members of the public from the upper-floor meeting spaces if a fire occurred, in particular those with needs that the council may not be aware of.

"This means these rooms are no longer suitable for public use.

"In addition, work on the building will be needed next year, following the discovery of Raac.

"Issues with the heating system, which make the meeting rooms very cold during the winter months, are also a reason for the decision."

The building has been partially closed since earlier this year after Raac was found on the second floor.

That floor is leased out and is used by staff from the NHS and the Department for Work and Pensions.

They have moved to a different part of the building.

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