Chepstow Town Council is to hold an extraordinary meeting tonight (Wednesday 15th May) to discuss the funding of essential work to the Drill Hall.

A structural survey has revealed the steel trusses that have supported the roof for the past 150 years are not up to current standards and need strengthening.

The county council's structural surveyor is currently visiting the premises on a fortnightly basis to "ensure the safety of users" and in certain circumstances such as snow or extreme winds, the hall should not be used.

Monmouthshire County Council (MCC), which owns the building, has agreed to fund part of the work and Chepstow Town Council must decide whether to fund the rest and make other improvements at the same time.

Work must be done to insulate the roof, change the main hall heating system and alter one of the trusses to improve facilities for projecting films.

The structural repairs alone will cost around £70,000 and MCC last year pledged £45,000, asking the tenants (the town council) to pay the rest.

However, on a strict interpretation of the lease there is an obligation on the town council as tenant to meet the total costs.

Improvements in the form of a new heating system etc, are also expected to be funded by the town council.

Subsequently, MCC have advised Chepstow's town clerk that they "have arrived at an overall cost of £60,000 for the structural repair works. It is this figure that MCC is prepared to meet."

The Drill Hall has significant bookings for both 2013 and 2014 and the management have indicated that the prime time for works to be carried out is in August and September 2013.

MCC has indicated that it would seek to provide alternative venues for any prebooked events.

This, like all council meetings, is open to the public and anyone interested in the future of the Drill Hall may address the council before the meeting (15 minutes at the beginning of the meeting are set aside to this) and then stay to observe the proceedings.

The meeting begins at 7pm in the council chamber of the Gatehouse, High Street, Chepstow.