POOLE councillors who called in a decision to spend £153,000 refurbishing the Civic Centre have said it is “clear no money has been spent for a very long time”.

Following a report by chief executive Andrew Flockhart about the adequacy of facilities in the reception and customer services area, cabinet members approved the investment.

The money will be spent on a new disabled toilet, baby changing/feeding facility, interview rooms/booths, and a queue management system.

Mr Flockhart said there were “serious concerns” the council was at high risk of a legal claim of compensation as the current facilities did not meet disability law requirements.

However, Cllr Mark Howell, leader of Poole People, along with nine other councillors, asked for the decision to be reviewed due to ‘inadequate scrutiny and evidence’.

They questioned the sum being spent on the refurbishment, especially as the Civic Centre could close in the next few years following the council’s merger with Bournemouth and Christchurch.

Speaking at the call-in overview and scrutiny committee meeting, Cllr Howell said while it was “clear” that the Civic Centre “is not fit for purpose”, the cost of the work planned was “incomprehensible”.

“The removal of the interview booths and their replacement by desks has been costed at the enormous sum of £55,000,” he said.

“Given that the renovated facility is likely to have a very limited lifespan, the council should adopt a ‘do the minimum necessary’ approach. For example, the doors of the interview rooms need to be replaced because this is a health and safety and Disability Discrimination Act issue, but the wholesale renovation of these rooms would be inappropriate because they would remain poor quality rooms due to their small size and lack of natural light.”

He also claimed the project had not been “properly costed”, and a tour of the Civic Centre had convinced him the proposals “need further work to establish that they offer value for money for Poole’s taxpayers”.

Cllr Andy Hadley suggested customer facilities could be re-located to a more convenient and permanent building in the town centre.

“The report for the decision was very scant, and it was clear to councillors on reviewing the reception area that no money has been spent on it for a very long time,” he said.

“It is shocking that managers have had no discretion to spend very small sums on basic maintenance - items like repainting the stair treads should not need a cabinet decision.”

Members of the call-in committee made no recommendations to cabinet following the meeting.