COUNCILLORS have clashed over plans to spend £30,000 on refurbishing Whitchurch Civic Centre’s bar.

At the council’s Cultural and Civic Centre Committee meeting, held virtually on Wednesday, September 9, councillors discussed a proposal to renovate the upstairs bar with a £30,000 budget.

At the following full council meeting, councillors discussed these ideas, but there were clashes over the need to spend the money.

Councillor Harvey Vasey, who put forward the proposal, said the plans were not ‘lavish’ but necessary.

“The issues isn’t that were trying to create a lavish lush palace to regale ourselves on,” he said.

“What were doing is to make sure we have financial headroom to sort out the room so we’re not necessarily doing anything outlandish, it’s quite a simple process to make it a useful attractive space.

Cllr Andy Hall agreed with the need to update the bar, but was afraid of runaway costs.

“Everyone would agree the bar is outdated,” he said. “It all needs refurbishing.

“I agree work needs doing but we need a plan for these projects.

“What I’ve seen so far reminds me of the Vicar of Dibley.”

Cllr Hall added: “My only worry with this is that money could disappear quite quickly.”