Skipton Town Hall transfer delayed (From Craven Herald)

Skipton Town Hall transfer delayed

10:29am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News

Skipton Town Hall is likely to be handed over to an historic trust by the end of the year.

In May, Craven District Council agreed in principle to the Heritage Trust for the North West taking on running of the hall.

The trust was given until this month to come up with an acceptable business plan, but that has now been extended until December.

Council leader Coun Chris Knowles-Fitton (Cons) told the policy committee that finalising the agreement was taking longer than expected, but good progress was being made.

And he added he was sure that any problems that had arisen could be negotiated to the satisfaction of the trust and the council.

A report to committee revealed that discussions were ongoing about a repair and maintenance schedule and the trust’s creative input.

Skipton ward members were also asking for the trust to be responsible for the setts in front of the town hall.

“I have made it crystal clear that the new date is not negotiable, but providing a business plan takes time,” said Coun Knowles-Fitton.

“It is taking a bit longer than we would have liked, but I have no qualms about it.”

The new trust is to be called the Skipton Town Hall Trust.

The hall will continue to house the museum and tourist information and will become the new home of Skipton Town Council, which currently has offices above Barclays Bank in the High Street.

Coun Simon Myers (Cons) asked for reassurance that the business plan be received in good time for the council’s policy committee meeting in December.