A COUNCIL has come under fire for a U-turn over holding meetings out in the community.

Portland Town Council decided last year to hold meetings at more accessible community halls in a bid to be more transparent following the precept debacle when a move to increase bills sparked an island revolt.

Residents have to climb three flights of stairs to get into the 80-year-old council chamber at Fortuneswell and it was felt meetings should be open to all.

However councillors voted on Tuesday night to hold all committee meetings as well as a 'proportion' of town council meetings at the council offices. The proportion of meetings would be left to the discretion of the chairman and clerk.

They also decided that full council meetings should be held monthly instead of bi-monthly, and to scrap the finance and resources committee – a decision which may have to be reviewed.

Clerk Ian Looker explained afterwards there was a feeling among some councillors, some of whom are new to the council, that not every meeting needed to be held outside the offices. This is because there are fewer members of the public turning up to meetings and 'logistical' issues associated with moving meetings outside.

Meetings of importance including budget discussions would continue to be held at external venues.

Mr Looker said the decision about when town council meetings are held may have to be rescinded because it conflicts with a council decision made less than six months ago.

Former councillor John Thorner, who is disabled, said the council was effectively excluding less able members of the public including those in wheelchairs, the elderly and families with pushchairs.

He claimed the council was going 'back in time' and described it as a 'pathetic' decision.

Cllr Glenn Chadwick said councillors had unintentionally 'jumped the gun' as the long-term aim is to move meetings back to the council offices once access had been improved.

He said: "It was never the intention to exclude the public. I will try and get this decision overturned. It will be sorted out by the next meeting."

Cllr Sue Lees said the council should make more use of its offices but not to the detriment of less able members of the public.