A fresh row broke out over the cost after the results of a renovation of a council chamber were unveiled.

West Oxfordshire District Council agreed a budget of £457,000 for refitting the meeting room and turning it into a community space.

However, Conservative critics once again branded it unnecessary and a "huge waste of money".

The opposition group said the money could have been better spent on "pressing community needs or to alleviate financial burdens on taxpayers".

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Cllr Michele Mead, Leader of the Conservative Group, said: "Council chambers play an essential role in the democratic process, but the question remains whether such a spend is justifiable in the current economic climate.

Oxford Mail: WODC council chamber before the refit

"The coalition have significantly depleted the council's reserves and are again going to hike up our council tax and green waste licence.

"I'm not sure residents will be happy with the amount of money being spent on a council chamber refurbishment when there was nothing wrong with the previous one.”

A report which was signed off by the executive in June 2023 showed that the council refit based on the Quantity Surveyor assessment would be £242,350 to complete and then furniture would be an additional £131,210 and for mechanical and electrical adjustments the cost is expected to be £83,700. 

The council secured a government grant of £250,000 for new technology in the council chamber and committee rooms.

Councillor Andy Graham, leader of the council, said the chamber had been in need of maintenance.

He added: “This work is an investment for the community and the council chamber facility will become a community space that local people and organisations will be able to use like never before.

"That could include events like conferences, meetings, special occasions or celebrations.

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"The technology being installed will allow residents to watch council meetings online, making the council more transparent and hopefully increase engagement with local democracy."  

He said the works are part of a wider project to make better use of council buildings, which is expected to bring in up to £150,000 a year.

"For all our property maintenance work we make sure to get best value for money for the taxpayer and a lot of the work is being done by local firms," he said.

"The work to the council chamber facility and community space has come in on time and in below the budget approved.”