THE decision on whether North Somerset Council will close some Weston offices and move workers to Clevedon has been postponed due to the poor weather.

THE decision on whether North Somerset Council will close some Weston offices and move workers to Clevedon has been postponed due to the poor weather forecast.

Council chiefs have called off tonight's meeting at which the vote was due to be taken because of safety fears associated with an expected heavy snowfall.

Drifts of between six and 10 inches are expected from 11pm tonight.

The decision to call off the meeting comes as leader Nigel Ashton prepared to fend off a rebellion from Weston-based Conservatives.

Cllr Ashton said: "I have agreed with the chairman, chief executive officer, leader of the opposition and leader of the Lib Dems that the predicted weather conditions this evening make it prudent to put off the meeting.

"It is disappointing as we were due to discuss the budget, Tropicana and office amalgamation programme. I hope we can reconvene this meeting as soon as possible."

Liberal Democrat councillor Edward Keating said: "It has been the first time in two years that there has been any dissent in their ranks and they have to cancel a meeting.

"I would not be surprised if they are running scared, because I cannot recall any council meeting being cancelled due to the weather."

The �16million plan to buy the Clerical Medical offices in Tickenham Road, which would see hundreds of workers move away from Weston, had come in for criticism from town figures, businesses and the town's MP.

It is the first full council meeting to ever be cancelled by the unitary authority.