A group of councillors have given their backing to a major revamp of Carlisle Civic Centre.

Members of the business and transformation scrutiny panel discussed plans to refurbish the customer contact centre and potentially demolish the existing council chamber at a meeting this week.

The panel was also given a “fly through” presentation of how the ground floor, which includes space to house a new council chamber, could look.

Mark Walshe, the city council’s strategic asset and investment services manager, said that the ground floor would also include a “soft meeting space” for both staff and members of the public. He added that the council chamber, which could also be used to hold conferences, could generate added income.

Councillors were told that money for the redevelopment of the civic centre’s ground floor would be funded through an insurance settlement, while the potential demolition of the council chamber would be undertaken on an “invest to save” basis - with money recouped via savings from maintenance bills that would no longer be paid.

Anne Glendinning, a Labour councillor for Castle ward, welcomed the proposals.

She said: “I have to say the council chamber is awful and I think members of the public who have been would agree.

“I often struggle to hear what’s being said - the microphones don’t work - and if you’re sat on that top gallery then you’d struggle to hear as well. The steps down also aren’t accessible.

“I know we have a ramp but it becomes obvious that people with disabilities haven’t been taken into account. If you look at modern designs, that sort of thing is built in.

“It’s also either too hot or too cold, the heating doesn’t work properly - it’s rubbish.”

Trevor Allison, Liberal Democrat councillor for Dalston, also backed the plans. “I’m interested by the proposals. I totally agree that the council chamber should be torn down,” he said.

“There’s the opportunity that this could be better than Cumbria House [the new premises on Botchergate occupied by Cumbria County Council].

“The area for a meeting space could create extra revenue and it would be good if other floors in the civic centre were used for a commercial benefit. I think it’s all quite exciting.”

However John Mallinson, leader of the Conservative group and councillor for Longtown and Rockcliffe, asked a number of questions. He said: “I understand the insurance payout was just over £3m, but half of that has been spent.

“Will all of this be covered by the rest of the insurance payout? I also don’t recall before Storm Desmond the need for a new council chamber.”

Jason Gooding, the council’s chief executive, said: “With regards to the council chamber, it’s an opportunity to generate income. The existing car park, as members will note, is always full and money will be recouped. It seems like an economically sensible thing to do.”

He added: “The chamber is only used a few times a month. A new multi-use room could also be used on election nights, saving money. We also have meetings in the Old Fire Station that could instead be held there.”

Jessica Riddle, chairman of the business and transformation scrutiny panel, said: “Our recommendation is that we approve the plans.”