AFTER 103 years of meeting above the historic jail in Market Street, North Tawton Town Council is moving premises in order to meet new requirements for access for the disabled.
From this week, town council meetings will be held in the new fire station in Barton Road for a trial period of six months.
Town clerk Alison Baker explained that the Vestry above ?The Old Clink?, as it is known, does not have a disabled access which would be a requirement for town council meetings when the Disabilities Discrimination Act came into force next year.
?We have been looking for some time for a suitable place to meet and the new fire station, which is in a fairly central position for the public to get to, has a meeting room,? she said.
?The Vestry is part of a very historic site in North Tawton and it is sad that we have to leave it, but we hope to still hold some meetings there in the future.?
The fire brigade feels sure the meetings will not conflict with brigade call-outs and the two can co-exist quite happily.
?We do not want to get in the way of operational needs and so this trial period of six months is to see if the arrangement is mutually convenient,? added Mrs Baker.
The next council meeting will be held in the fire station on November 5 at 7.30pm. Councillors will welcome any members of the public who wish to attend and take an interest in the affairs of the council.