HURWORTH Parish Council came down in the world this week – in order to comply with the law and out of courtesy to a wheelchair-user.

The decision to meet in a ground-floor room in the Grange Community Centre was readily agreed to after a request by villager Anthony Coates.

But the difficulties he spoke about during the meeting led to an agreement to look at access to the Victorian building, which used to be a private house and has no lift.

Meetings have been held in a first-floor room at the Grange for several years, but on Tuesday, councillors moved downstairs so that Mr Coates could attend.

He had asked to be accommodated as he wished to exercise his right as a member of the public to attend the meeting.

Councillors have decided to meet at wheelchair-accessible places for the foreseeable future, being concerned that their previous venue could be in breach of the Disability Discrimination Act.

It was agreed to form a working party with members of the community association to look at how disabled access might be improved at the Grange.

Mr Coates highlighted the problems facing disabled people who wish to enter the building.

He said the ramp to get inside was extremely steep and difficult to negotiate.

There had been occasions when he had been unable to get in because the front door, which had the only wheelchairaccessible ramp, was locked.

“I would just like it to go on the record that I have been and asked if anything is going to improve in the near future,” he said.

“I like coming here for the classic cars and village fair, but I find it very hard to access the building.”

Coun Gill Hepplewhite, chairwoman, said the matter needed to be looked at. “I agree with you that something needs to be set up. But it won’t happen overnight,” she said.

Coun Alan Gibson said disabled access could be the responsibility of Hurworth Community Association, which rents the building on a five-year lease from the council.

Coun Ian Holme said the council, as landlords, should take responsibility and work with the association to create a long-term solution. He said there had been new legislation since the council last looked at the issue.

“We need to ensure we are compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act and then not rest on our laurels,” he said.

“We should be making access for disabled people to the Grange as good as it can be.”

Coun Ian White agreed, saying groups should pull together and find a solution instead of passing the buck. “I just feel that between us, everyone seems to be passing it to another group,”

he said.

Parish council meetings will be held at suitable venues around the village, though no formal arrangements have been made. The clerk, John Robinson, will investigate alternative meeting rooms.

The council resolved to nominate two members to form a joint working party with members of the community association if it agreed at its next meeting to become involved.

Couns Ian Holme and Peter Allen volunteered to be on the group.