STATEMENT FROM WITNEY TOWN COUNCIL
It is important to correct the impression created by a recent social media post from a councillor regarding the operation of the Corn Exchange heating system.
The report on which the post was based contains wording that can be misleading as it makes a number of assumptions about how the heating system operates without fully reflecting the technical reality of the building management system.
The Town Council can confirm that the heating system serving the Corn Exchange is programmed to operate during opening hours and is not configured to heat the building 24 hours a day.
Furthermore, the Corn Exchange is served by a sophisticated building management system which uses a range of sensors to monitor internal and external temperatures, as well as air quality, to determine when heating and ventilation are required and to what extent.
The system responds to programmed heating schedules, and to demand and environmental conditions, with heating output reducing or stopping once target temperatures are achieved. Therefore, describing the heating as running “continually” does not accurately reflect how the system functions in practice.
The report appears to assume that the lack of trained staff directly resulted in the heating operating 24/7. This is incorrect. Council staff are able to operate and adjust the heating controls as required. Appropriate induction and handover arrangements are also in place to ensure that new staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfil their responsibilities effectively.