SPECIAL equipment to allow disabled people access to Tavistock's council offices and chamber will soon by installed by the town council.

The decision to spend £1,000 as a short-term measure comes after criticism by a councillor who claimed the authority was discriminating against the disabled by holding its meetings in the chamber which is on the first floor of the council building.

Cllr Harry Pearson is disabled after treatment for cancer and has been unable to attend most council meetings.

Cllr Norma Woodcock said she was impressed by the stair-climbing equipment demonstrated to councillors before last week's meeting.

'I think we need to confirm the council's commitment to meeting its statutory duties by 2004. I think it's an excellent short-term provision,' she said.

Cllr Judith Wright said the machine was not perfect but members had to be practical.

She felt sure councillors and staff would be willing to be trained to use the stairlift and said a simple doorbell was all that was needed to alert people inside the building the lift was required.

'It's a lift that is used in various residential homes, it will take any person from outside right into this chamber. It's easy to use — care assistants use them all the time.

'I recommend we do spend this money as a short-term way forward,' she said.

Cllr John Wright was not so sure.

He said the machine was 'vastly better' than previous examples considered, but said there were other factors to consider.

'We have to determine where it will be kept, it needs to be close to a power point, what are the implications for liability and responsibility of the person operating it.

'There are lots of practical questions that need to be asked,' said Cllr Wright.

Cllr David Stapleton felt the most obvious solution in the long-term was to move out of the current council chamber.

But Cllr Pearson was not impressed with the decision.

'It discriminates against the disabled in that they can't use it themselves but has to be operated by someone else.

'It won't serve as a permanent thing because it's not structurally attached to the building.

'Personally I am not prepared to let somebody who doesn't operate it regularly to negotiate the stairs with me sat in it,' said Cllr Pearson.

He said the simple solution without cost to the ratepayers was to hold meetings in the town hall.

Members agreed to purchase the second-hand equipment at a cost of £1,000.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, the council has until 2004 to make sure its buildings are accessible to disabled people.