Tories want to splash out on a brand new council chamber within the Basildon centre, even though they want the building bulldozed.

The plan would see the creation of a two-tier chamber, complete with balcony, to replace meeting room one, which is deemed "not fit for purpose".

The idea has been branded "barmy" by opposition councillors.

Yet Kevin Blake, Tory cabinet member for service improvement, is serious about the plan.

He said: "I can confirm the possibility of a council chamber. This is at a very early stage and no decision has been taken.

"The review is primarily about improving the centre for customers, and staff working conditions.

"Other councils in the area hold meetings in a proper chamber.

"All we have is room one, which is not really fit for purpose."

Mr Blake has spent several months putting together a package of improvements for the centre, estimated to cost around £3million - even though the 1980s building faces demolition in five to ten years time.

Yet Mr Blake said spending £500,000 on air conditioning for staff, who were forced to hide from the heat under umbrellas last summer, was unlikely to be part of the plan.

Basildon Labour Group leader Nigel Smith said: "Air conditioning for staff should come before a chamber, which few public would attend.

"I would support improvements, but only if they lift the threat of demolition.

"It is more self indulgence and comes after talk of a mayor and trips to Cannes, while the Tories moan they are not getting enough cash from the Government."

Basildon Lib Dem leader Geoff Williams added: "It is absolutely barmy to talk of investment like this for a building they plan to knock down."

Last October, the Echo revealed plans to improve the centre and accommodate 150 staff from Church Walk House and 250 from an independent company being set up to manage its housing stock.

Tories claim much of the £3million cost will come from the £500,000-a-year they say will be saved, from next year, by no longer leasing the nearby Church Walk House for finance staff.