Staff at Hove Town Hall sweated as temperatures rose to 15C above outdoor levels this summer. But despite heated debates, councillors haven't agreed a solution.

Venetian blinds, potted plants and a thin heat-reducing solar film over windows have been suggested.

Opposition councillors have also asked why they could not buy a simple electric fan or encourage staff to open windows.

Officers would prefer to apply thin solar film to the tinted windows of the offices in Norton Road.

The town hall has had tinted windows since opening 30 years ago but complaints about unbearable humidity have increased.

An internal staff survey found many employees felt "generally uncomfortable" or worse because of sun beaming into their offices.

The humid feel indoors has been made worse since tropical flowers, which help cool the air, were taken away and not replaced.

Members of the planning sub-committee deferred a decision on the solar film on September 3 and did the same again this week.

Patcham Tory councillor Carol Theobald was worried a certain type of film could cause the windows to crack as well as making the building too dark.

Coun Theobald said she preferred blinds and plants.

She said: "Why we can't just have the windows open or an electric fan I don't know.

"Obviously the best thing would be to have proper air conditioning but that would cost a lot."

Planning sub-committee chairman Bob Carden was frustrated action had been delayed again.

Planning officers have not revealed the cost of the solar film.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "If approved, there is funding in this year's programme for improvements to Hove Town Hall. These include a rolling programme of air conditioning as well as the proposals to combat the heat gain."