A CALL has gone out for security measures at a local council chamber to be reviewed following an incident involving a member of the public.

Coun John Salter has written to the chief executive of Teesdale District Council, Charles Anderson, on behalf of members of the Independents Group, of which he is secretary.

His letter expresses their concerns that during a special council meeting on July 31 a member of the public was seen to approach one of their members in his seat in the chamber in what appeared to be an aggressive and threatening manner. He was apparently protesting about a planning decision regarding Commercial Yard in Barnard Castle.

"While it appears that on this occasion no harm was done," said Coun Salter, "It is nevertheless worrying that councillors carrying out their legitimate duties in the chamber are apparently vulnerable to harassment, or perhaps even worse, from members of the public."

Coun Salter told the D&S Times that although there was no particular anxiety among councillors or no reason to suspect they were in danger, they had to keep security at the top of their minds.

Following the death of a member of Gloucestershire County Council two years ago, the Local Government Association had issued guidelines on personal safety, with one of the recommendations being that any incidents of concern, even if fairly minor be reported to the authority's chief executive.

"My reason for writing to Mr Anderson was to draw the incident to his attention, and to request that security be reconsidered in the light of this occurrence in order that members and staff can carry out their duties in a safe and secure environment," said Coun Salter.

In response, Mr Anderson said initially the concerns would be accommodated by further discussions with Coun Salter. But he was keen to point out that Teesdale did not have a history of placard-waving demonstrators or protestors in the chamber.

"Although we have had these things during the last month, there is nothing to suggest that this is a new wave," he added. "If that turns out to be the case we don't want to be seen to be over-reacting.