HIRING the Parr Hall for Warrington’s first in-person full council meeting in more than a year last Monday cost the council £2,000, says the leader.

The Parr Hall is a bigger venue than the Town Hall, allowing tables and seats to be spaced out more amid the coronavirus pandemic.

But some believe council meetings should still be allowed to be held virtually, instead of in-person.

In a tweet, Labour Islington councillor Alice Perry said: “It is absurd that cash strapped councils have been forced to hire massive venues to accommodate socially distanced meetings because the government won’t let us hold our meetings online during a pandemic.”

Warrington Borough Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden, Labour, quoted her tweet and said: “As an example, Monday night’s full council meeting cost WBC £2k for the venue hire.”

 

 

Although the authority owns the Parr Hall, it is run by Culture Warrington.

Conservative Warrington South MP Andy Carter has issued a statement on the matter.

He said: “Parr Hall is ultimately owned by the council, so while there may be a small cost for WBC to use the site, it’s a charge that is being used to support a taxpayer-owned building.

“As we see restrictions lifted it’s not unreasonable that councillors, who were only elected last month to represent local interests, return to in-person meetings.

“I can though understand why the leader of the council isn’t keen on holding meetings in person.

“Participating in a virtual council session is very different experience to regular meetings, where councillors can scrutinise and challenge decisions being made by the executive.

“The leader has a much easier ride when nobody is in the room!

“I know from my own experience in the House of Commons that debate is stilted and your ability to challenge what’s being said is controlled by whoever controls the microphone.”