Security to be beefed up at town hall

5:17pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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Croydon Council is set to install a card entry turnstile system at the entrance to the town hall after it claims that security is an issue at the Katharine Street building.

It has put in an application for permission to install a card entry double paddle gate for controlled staff access and a remotely operated gate entry system for supervised entry to visitors.

It has been recommended for approval at a planning meeting tonight.

The building, in Katharine Street, is a Grade II listed building and will require listed building consent for the changes to go ahead.

Croydon Council said that although the need for installation is "regrettable", it is necessary.

In the report it states: "The applicants have stated that the purpose of the prposed turnstile is to enhance security to the entrance of the town hall.

"At present if the security staff who attend to the entrance are distracted or temporarily absent from their posts unauthorised persons may easily access the building.

"The proposed system would go a significant way to providing a more secure entrance."

English Heritage, the council;s Urban Design team and the Mid Croydon Advisory Area Panel have been consulted on the proposal and have expressed no objection to it.

Eight objection letters and one petition containing 26 signatures have been received.

The main issue are the cost of installation to taxpayers, the justification for the need for such extensive security and the alterations to a listed building.

However Councillor Alison Butler said: "This is the people's town hall and it is such a beautiful building it would be a real shame for the public not to be able to go in at their free will.

"Surely the point of a town hall is for it to be open to the public, it is also a listed building - why does it need such extensive security? "