THE Shire Hall in Monmouth is one of the best examples of its type in Britain and deserves its £5 million facelift, the county council has been told.

Cllr Chris Woodhouse, the cabinet member for the environment was speaking at last week's cabinet meeting when it was agreed to set aside £150,000 in the budget for the next two years to match the Heritage Lottery Funding of £4.5million which has had provisional agreement.

The county council has already committed £300,000 towards the repair and restoration of the Grade 1 building, and now the final bid for the money will go to the HLF.

Cllr Woodhouse said this shows a huge commitment on the part of the county council. "This building has fallen into dilapidation, and this is an example of good partnership working between the council and the Shire Hall Stewards volunteer group because an incredible amount of work has been done on this project.

"This is one of the most magnificent buildings in Monmouthshire and it is a building for the whole county. Not just for the town of Monmouth."

Cllr Rob Griffiths said: "There is no doubt about the historical importance of the building, but I am concerned about the potential costs over the next ten years."

Cllr Woodhouse said the lottery fund will only provide 75 percent of the total cost of the project, so the rest of the money has to come from the owners, the community and other interested parties.

But although part of the funding was to come from an Assembly grant, this is no longer available, and the council has to find the all-important extra money.

He said the council is currently spending £50,000 on essential repairs, caretaking and general running costs. As part of the project a new management structure will be set up to run and promote the building. He pointed out that the building has enormous historical significance as the venue for the trials of the leading Chartist figures in 1840.

The restoration will allow the building to be used as a community centre, accessible to all users, as well as for displays to guide visitors through the history of Monmouth and the Chartist movement.