9:10pm Wednesday 19th November 2008
By Jo Winrow
Residents in Brighouse are being given their say about an alternative use for the former town hall.
Calderdale Council was considering whether to sell the building, but senior councillors have now agreed to put off selling it for six months.
The historic grade II building ceased operating as a town hall in 1973 and no Council services or staff have operated from the site in the last 13 years. It is now partially occupied by a local businesses with a rental income of approximately £10,000 a year.
However, projections show that it will actually leave the Council in the red to the tune of £477,500 over the next ten years.
Some councillors petitioned the cabinet, with Councillor Joyce Cawthra objecting to the sale. She referred to the views of Brighouse residents on alternatives such as turning the building into a museum.
Councillor David Kirton said: “We have heard their concerns and are giving residents and organisations the opportunity to come forward with ways of utilising the building at no revenue cost to Council.
“If, in six months time, they can prove they have come up with a viable solution then we will grant an extension to this time period so that idea can be progressed.
“However, if in six months a viable solution is not forthcoming then we will have to proceed with the sale.”
If a sale goes ahead, the Council could impose a covenant on any purchaser to maintain the clock.
The building is also home to the town’s original mayoral seat which could be moved to the Brighouse Civic Hall.
Councillors have also agreed to grant Brighouse Old People’s Centre a lease so they can use a piece of Council-owned land as a car park for the next 50 years. The centre will only have to pay a minimal rate for the land.
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