Hugh Sandeman
Conservative Councillor for Bell Hill ward, Petersfield

As a political critic I often spend my time and online space (here) highlighting the profligacy of the Public Sector, Government or other Councils wasting public money on items that only further alienate those we are elected to serve.

Being the deputy chair of the Public Halls Committee for 2006 -‘07 I have taken an even larger interest than last year in the budgetary rounds for the next financial year which are just beginning now.

I am well aware that I am one of twelve Councillors on the Council and only one of four who attended last week’s Halls Committee. At that meeting my view that providing air conditioning for some of the Town Council’s offices was a poor use of Pubic money, (yes that means your Council Taxes) however - fellow Councillors, (and Officers) disagreed with my view, (which is entirely their democratic right of course) the item now continues to the Finance and General Purposes Committee for consideration.

My concerns about the air-con being budgeted are numerous; many of the reasons FOR air-con were strongly put to me by Officers sat around the table on Monday and also by the Chair and other Councillors.

As I suspect my views against expenditure on air-con would carry more weight with the public of Petersfield than those at the Halls meeting I will list the reasons why I think embellishing our own offices at a time when the Town needs as much Council cash as possible to be spent on our existing assets, could be seen as a mistake.

1) Air-conditioning is expensive to purchase, install, run and maintain. (all of it from your council tax bills folks)

2) The claim of equity for all staff to work in Air-conditioned offices falls flat when we consider the Officer who works in the un air-conditioned entrance hall of the Festival Hall.

3) We have a duty of care to our staff (the Officers) however I am sure there are plenty of employers who run businesses in Petersfield without using Air-conditioning – hands up those of us who break into a sweat whilst at work during our annual fortnight of hot weather?

4) I have heard that even the Chief Exec. of East Hampshire District Council doesn’t have air-conditioning in his office.

5) It’s introduction into a Council office which is locked to prevent Public or Councillors from entering is not in the public interest in my opinion.

6) The huge impact of Air-Conditioning on the environment due to the increased demand for electricity and the by-product of heat being released into the atmosphere is clearly undesirable, as a Quality Council I would like to think that PTC would lead by example on this one. The aim of the Quality status is afterall to;

...provide a benchmark minimum standards for parish and town councils and enable them to better represent the communities they serve.

Although air-con is a luxury that would be nice to have, at the moment I cannot see any reason that other projects which would directly benefit the people of Petersfield should see their funding reduced or lost to make way for this to be installed - or worse still the Town Council tax precept increased in order to have the air conditioning installed.

I believe that my primary duty of care is with the public who rely on our council to administer their Town, by not installing this additional air conditioning I don't think the Council will have breached any current employment law. Windows can be opened, fans used and summer clothing worn. I’ve got a feeling that it isn’t just me that will be getting hot under the collar about this issue.