Victory for residents as town hall sell-off threat is averted

Craven Council's policy committee has now agreed to transfer the historic building to a trust or similar organisation.

The decision is being seen as a victory for residents who came out in force to try to save the 19th century landmark after the council announced it was considering putting the Town Hall on the market, deeming it a "huge drain" on resources.

Craven Council this week said it reached the decision based on the need to generate investment for the building and to allow the community to continue to use it.

Council leader Councillor Chris Knowles-Fitton said: "At last this authority is quite rightly coming to a lasting decision on Skipton Town Hall. The building needs some significant investment and a trust can attract higher levels of grants for the building than a local authority.

"In this tough financial climate, difficult and sensible choices have to be made. It is not practical or financially possible for the council to continue to manage the Town Hall.

"The option to transfer the management of the building to a trust is the best way to secure a viable future for the building and to get it the investment it needs. At the same time, we are ensuring that the Town Hall remains at the heart of the community for community use."

The council has included an option for 17 High Street, Craven Museum and Gallery, and Skipton Tourist Information to be part of the transfer to a trust. The museum is based in the listed building.

Councillors felt that keeping 17 High Street – which is used as office space and a contact centre for the public – and the Town Hall together would give the complex more chance to create its own revenue.

As part of the management package, 17 High Street could generate income as office accommodation which would help the upkeep of the Town Hall.

About 160 people responded to a consultation about the future of the building with most wanting the Town Hall to continue to be available for community use, either run by Craven Council or a trust.

But the spiralling costs for maintaining the building coupled with cuts in government funding mean the district council's continued management of the building is not an option.

The cost of repairing the Town Hall is estimated to be 285,500 and its running costs are high.

In 2009/10, the council spent 189,000 on the building after income received.

The projected expenditure for 2010/11 is 190,000 after income has been received.

Skipton Town Council has been keen to play a key role in running the Town Hall.

Craven Council will now invite expressions of interest from trusts or other interested parties.

Part of that arrangement will include an option to permanently house Craven Museum and Gallery and Skipton Tourist Information Centre in the building, constructed in 1862.

The council will set up a sub-committee to agree the specifications for the expressions of interest. Once these have been received they will be discussed at a future policy committee meeting.

It is unlikely that the council will receive a capital sum for the transfer of the building because of the amount of repair work that needs to be done on the Town Hall.

Until the expressions of interest are received and the council has been able to look into the implications of the building being transferred at a nominal figure, it cannot say whether or not the town hall will be transferred for a peppercorn rent.

At this stage, it is still unclear whether or not the museum or Tourist Information Centre will transfer to the appointed trust.

Skipton Tourist Information Centre is based in Coach Street and will be moved as soon as possible to the Town Hall.