Running Dorchester’s Corn Exchange building is becoming an increasingly costly affair.

The town council is planning to re-roof the building next year (2020) at an estimated cost of £250,000 while the boilers which provide hot water and heating are said to be coming to the end of their working life. In recent months the council chamber has occasionally been too hot, with portable fans being brought in to counter-act the heating.

The lift within the building has also been described as “not fit for purpose” and may need major works, or a different solution found. In addition the whole building is said to need redecoration within the next few years.

Councillors are being asked to add to the authority’s Municipal Building Reserve fund, including a one-off payment of £100,000 from the management committee, to help meet the costs.

Town Clerk Adrian Stuart and his team will be preparing a detailed plan to deal with the issues which they will present to the council later in the year.

The budget for running the municipal buildings is £240,000 in the current financial year with an income of around £53,000, leaving a precept to be met by the council tax of £187,000.

Next year’s budget for the building will rise of £360,000 with income expected to be lower, at £48,000.