Buntingford councillors are in favour of keeping a set of antique furniture. Despite some councillors concerns that the furniture is too heavy and unsafe, seven councillors at a meeting of the town council thought it was important to keep the furniture i

Buntingford councillors are in favour of keeping a set of antique furniture.

Despite some councillors' concerns that the furniture is too heavy and unsafe, seven councillors at a meeting of the town council thought it was important to keep the furniture in the council chamber at the Manor House, because it was part of the town's 'heritage'.

Cllr Whittaker said: "I sympathise with the situation of moving the furniture, but the Manor House is a listed building and the furniture fits perfectly in here.

"It's part of our heritage. I'm dead against selling it."

Cllr Stan Bull said: "I would be completely lost without this chair. It's part of our heritage. I have every sympathy with people who have to lift it, but it's been going on for years.

"I think an antique dealer would love to get hold of these chairs."

Cllr Eunice Woods said: "Listening to everyone at the annual town meeting I now feel my vote will go to keeping the furniture.

"We're here to represent the public and it's not our views that should be uppermost. I'm speaking for somebody (Chris Woods) who couldn't be here tonight and they would ask for the furniture to be saved."

Cllr John Noades and Cllr Sanjit Basra, however, are concerned that the furniture will not pass a risk assessment.

Cllr Basra said: "We are not going to save money because to bring it up-to-date we would have to find around £2,000.

"On the other hand we could sell this furniture and get furniture that's going to move easily. It's important these days to have risk assessments."

Cllr Ron Bray also thinks buying new modern furniture will save the council money.

He said: "I am in favour of the furniture being changed.

"It is extremely nice but not suitable for what we want now.

"We hold a number of events in the council chamber, including Lights of Love, and every time all the tables and chairs have to be moved.

"It could also be used for the town meeting so we would save money because we wouldn't have to use the Seth Ward Community Centre again."

Cllr John Warren said: "I think we should keep traditions but in the future we should have a look at the risk assessment and review the situation in about six months."

Town clerk Jill Jones said: "We will be retaining the furniture but a decision has to be made regarding its restoration."

The matter will be discussed at a future town meeting.