COUNCILLORS have accused their own local authority of neglecting its traditions and wasting taxpayers’ money by choosing to host meetings outside of council premises.

Brighton and Hove City Council has greatly expanded the number of venues used to host public meetings since the closure of Hove Town Hall earlier this year for £10 million refurbishment work.

Following concerns about accessibility at Brighton Town Hall, the council has been using the Brighthelm Centre, Friends Meeting House and the Brighton Centre.

But Conservative councillors say that the council has invested public money to improve access at the historic town hall which had adequate facilities to meet the needs of the small number of attendees to council meetings with access issues.

They say the latest decision to host this month’s full council at the Brighton Centre will put them in a vulnerable position walking back to the cars late at night.

The council has offered them the chance to have security guards to accompany them in a bid to allay concerns.

Hiring rooms at the Friends Meeting House can cost up to £23 an hour, the Brighthelm Auditorium is available for £50 an hour while the Brighton Centre charges between £1,200 and £160 per day for its meeting rooms.

Brighton Town Hall’s council chamber last hosted a public meeting on July 16.

Councillor Dawn Barnett said: “I have worked with disabled people all my life and I am very passionate about accessibility but I have only ever seen one person with a wheelchair at any council meeting.

“What is the point in having a council chamber and investing in wheelchair access if we are not going to use it?

“All these places are costing money when we have a town hall sitting empty.

“Some of our meetings can run quite late, I know some people will feel vulnerable having to walk back to their cars parked at The Thistle from The Brighton Centre.”

Fellow councillor Mary Mears said: “I think it’s a real shame especially when you consider a lot of money was spent to ensure it was accessible for wheelchairs.

“It’s a shame if such a beautiful council chamber was never used again.

“You also have to remember that it is a cost to the taxpayer every time we don’t use our own buildings.

“Councillors only learnt about the venue change for this month's full council in the local press.”

Brighton and Hove City Council were unable to respond by the time The Argus had gone to print.