TOWN councillors have agreed an asset transfer of the Drill Hall which could allow a £1million lottery bid to be successful.

At an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday, Cllrs voted to transfer the Drill Hall from Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) to Chepstow Town Council, which will then lease the venue to the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

Although the Big Lottery has said this is an acceptable route to asset transfer, those behind the bid favoured other alternatives.

Under this option, supporters of the bid say it may not be possible to complete the transfer in time for submitting the lottery bid by September 26.

Opinions clashed at the re-arranged extraordinary meeting at the Palmer Community Centre on Wednesday night.

The meeting opened with a minute's silence observed in memory of opera singer Karl Daymond, who died after collapsing at the meeting last Wednesday, August 9.

A speech he had prepared was read out on his behalf, in which he expressed concerns over the management of the Drill Hall.

In the speech, Mr Daymond asked the council to pause before making a decision, saying that management issues needed resolving.

Cllr Yvonne Havard argued the town council should retain the lease of the Drill Hall, arguing the town council was capable of maintaining the venue.

Cllr John Rennie said the council could not ignore the concerns which had been raised over the management structure at the Drill Hall.

Cllr Hilary Beach argued the public consultation over the plans had not been representative of Chepstow.

But Cllr David Dovey argued for a community asset transfer from MCC to the CIO, saying that it would save the town council money, an argument echoed by Cllr Jez Becker.

Cllr Ned Heywood, who is also chairman of the Drill Hall board of trustees, admitted he had been at 'fault' for communication issues and apologised.

He said the potential lottery money would "significantly enhance" the quality of the Drill Hall and said he is prepared for the structure of the management to change.

Cllr Tom Kirton said he was still undecided, while Cllr Armand Watts said he favoured either the town council maintaining the lease, or an asset transfer from MCC to the town council which was voted in favour of.

Chairman of the council, Cllr Dale Rooke said he was concerned a 'town centric' public consultation, but said he was also aware of the financial implications of retaining the lease and the costs of maintaining the hall.

Option three was chosen in a majority vote, with five in favour, ahead of three voting for option one, for the town council to retain the lease, and two in favour of option two, a community asset transfer from MCC to the CIO.