Kent County Council officials have attempted to reassure staff working at its Maidstone headquarters after it was branded a “firetrap” earlier this week.

Cllr Harry Rayner (Con) made the comments on Tuesday while discussing the possibility of the authority leaving Sessions House as part of its ongoing review into its office portfolio.

He told fellow councillors: “This place is absolutely grim It doesn’t work well – to me it’s a firetrap from beginning to end.

“The earliest we can get shot of it, the better as far as I’m concerned.”

Cllr Rayner’s words are said to have “caused some concern among staff” and officials have since told them there are no on-site fire safety issues.

KCC spokesman Murray Evans added: “We have reassured all staff at Sessions House that the building has full fire compliance certification and procedures in place should it be necessary to evacuate the building.

“These are regularly tested and have been verified by Kent Fire and Rescue.”

The Grade-II listed building, which houses 1,100 staff and the council’s political chamber, has been excluded from previous assessments but its future is now to be looked at.

KCC is reviewing its office portfolio mindful that new technology is changing the way people are working.

The number of the council's office buildings has fallen from 27 to 14 since 2012, bringing about annual revenue savings of £4.5 million and further "benefits" of £20.4m.

Detailed council papers – as well as the main debate on the matter – were exempt from public scrutiny.