SWEATY working conditions for council staff in Watchet could soon be a thing of the past if councillors agree to a £4,000 air conditioning unit.

Councillors were being asked this week to consider a proposal to install an air conditioning unit in the council’s offices in Harbour Road to help staff cope with the kind of heatwaves which have been experienced in recent weeks.

A spokesperson said: “Recent periods of exceptionally warm weather have highlighted the limitations of the current office environment.

“The council offices do not benefit from effective ventilation or climate control, resulting in the workspace becoming uncomfortable during periods of extreme heat.

“Equally, during colder months, the building relies solely on electric radiators for heating.

“This has implications for staff wellbeing, comfort of councillors and visitors attending the offices, and the overall suitability of the building as the council’s principal place of work.

“As an employer, the council has a responsibility to provide a working environment that is reasonably comfortable and suitable for staff, councillors, and visitors.

“Investment in suitable heating and cooling infrastructure will improve the usability of the offices throughout the year while enhancing the council's principal administrative base.”

Councillors were told the cost of air conditioning unit could be met from a £4,000 budget set aside this year to support Minehead Citizens Advice, but which closed in April.

The spokesperson said: “The proposal is to install a modern, high-efficiency HVAC system serving both office spaces from a single roof-mounted external unit, with wall units in both the town clerk’s office and the main council office.”

They said the unit could also reduce the authority’s energy bill because modern air source heat pump technology was significantly more efficient than conventional electric heating.

The spokesperson said a further report with alternative funding options would be brought to councillors if the costs exceeded the budget.