A SPECIAL meeting to discuss the future of Minehead's visitor and interpretation centre lasted just three minutes this week.

Minehead Town Council had called the extraordinary meeting to consider a series of recommendations relating to the seafront facility, which is owned by West Somerset Council but which the town council helps fund.

But almost immediately after declaring it open on Tuesday evening, the town's mayor Cllr Terry Venner announced he was cancelling it because of "legal complications" and concern over the interests of some councillors.

The purpose-built centre - opened two years ago - is facing an uncertain future after the district authority revealed earlier this year that it could not afford the £40,000 annual running costs.

It invited volunteers and private organisations to submit bids to take over the running of the centre and in June announced that it had received bids from a trio of interested parties.

The preferred bidder is expected to be chosen in the next month or so - by the district council.

But at Tuesday's meeting, town councillors had been due to be asked to give their support in principle to the formation of a Community Interest Company - an idea included in one of the bids.

They had also been given copies of a feasibility report, which formed the basis for the bid in question, produced on behalf of Minehead Chamber of Trade and Commerce and part funded by Butlins, the West Somerset Railway and the town council.

In addition councillors were being asked to increase their budget for tourism from £10,000 to £15,000 for 2012/13 - when the chosen bidder would be expected to have taken over.

In the bid led by the chamber of trade, a subsidy of £30,000 from the district council and town council is identified.

A further recommendation focused on paying the district council £5,000 for centre services up to the end of October, with any balance ring-fenced for the successful bidder.

Cllr Venner told the meeting that he had agreed to the extraordinary meeting being called, in conjunction with town council clerk Sue Sanders and following a request from a six-strong delegation.

The meeting was announced at a full council meeting last Tuesday but Cllr Venner said in recent days the clerk had expressed concerns regarding members' interests - a number of town councillors run or are involved in businesses in Minehead.

Cllr Venner said advice had been sought from the Somerset Association of Local Councils.

"There are legal complications with members of this council and declarations of interest," he said.

In the light of the advice, Cllr Venner said he believed it would be in the best interest of the town council to cancel the meeting.

Just three councillors - Cllrs Venner, Ron Bridle and Les Smith - turned up for the meeting after councillors were emailed and telephoned about the cancellation.