FLINTSHIRE Council has unveiled its revamped council chamber 10 months after it was devastated by flooding.
The new-look meeting room at the council’s headquarters at County Hall, Mold, was officially opened yesterday after it suffered extensive damage in November.
Freezing temperatures are believed to have caused a pipe burst, which led to significant flooding and damage.
Now new microphones and seating arrangements have also been installed in the chamber, which has been redesigned to give an open and brighter feel.
Since the full flood, council meetings have been held at nearby Clwyd Theatr Cymru.
Council leader councillor Arnold Woolley said: “We are delighted with the hard work that has been done by everyone – council officers, contractors and our insurance company.
“The work has been completed as soon as it reasonably could have been.”
The chamber is mainly used for full council meetings, being capable of accommodating all 70 county councillors and more members of the public than other council meeting rooms.
Repairs have been carried out to the roof, floor and walls as well as work to give the chamber a new look.
The cost of the work was covered by insurance.
Features of the revamped chamber include an improved sound system, a new Press desk and public gallery and pictures on the walls showing Moel Famau, Flint Castle and Talacre Beach.
Speaking yesterday at the opening of the first meeting to be held in the new chamber Cllr Hilary McGuill, chairman of Flintshire Council, said: “I’d like to welcome you all to our nice new chamber. I’d like to thank the teams that worked very hard here to get the chamber back into use.
“I’m sure you are all really happy with our new chamber.”
Flintshire Council chief executive Colin Everett thanked “those involved in what has been a difficult project” and praised the new sound system.