THE George Town Council will tomorrow discuss spending almost $30,000 on redesigning its council chambers following recommendations from its new general manager.
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Andrew Macnish noted in this month’s council agenda risks associated with the council’s Anne Street headquarters.
He said the recommendations would focus on ‘‘safety, functionality, timeliness and affordability’’.
‘‘The risk register shows the risk of physical harm exists where sometimes emotional people [for example, a negatively energised public gallery] are in close proximity and have ready access to those making decisions on their behalf. The probability of harm is not high but certainly exists,’’ he wrote.
‘‘The probability of verbal abuse is also low but the general manager is assured it can happen at George Town Council.
‘‘The probability of distraction is high and this has been witnessed. In the least this causes a break in concentration and detracts from the requirement for full respect for the council and its vital decision-making role.’’
Mr Macnish noted that ‘‘the only time the gallery should be heard is singularly, when a requesting attendee is invited by the mayor to ask the council a question during public question time’’.
Recommended works include:
■Creation of the councillors’ meeting and resource rooms, new disabled access to the courtroom and toilet.
■The separation partition and relocation of council meeting ICT to the courtroom.
■Constructing the new privacy meeting room for the public.
