SETTLE Town Council has insisted it be kept totally involved in any future decisions regarding the redevelopment plans for the town hall.

Plans to transform the building into a rural service centre were given the go-ahead in principle at a meeting of Craven District Council's performance and resources committee this week.

It followed the announcement by the district council in October of its desire to attract external funding for plans to change the listed building to incorporate a library, registry facilities including a wedding room, a 67-square metre function room, reception, washroom and staff facilities.

The top floor of the building would remain as residential.

External changes would include changing the main entrance to the opposite side of the building so it faced the market place and incorporating a ramp for disabled access and attractive entrance.

However, the new ramp and entrance would inevitably result in the loss of some car parking space to the market place side.

Another casualty of the plans would be the three shops currently located in the town hall which would have to move out.

Craven District Council's chief executive Gill Dixon told the town council in October that keeping the retail element within the building would mean the project would not attract public sector funding from the county council, nor other external funding.

It was also noted that the building was in desperate need of repair and attracting the county council to relocate services there would provide the funds needed to carry out the work.

The meeting was told that the town hall, owned by the town council, but run by the district council, was losing a considerable amount of money.

Income annually was around £19,000, but expenditure was nearer £90,000 per year.

This week the town council noted that approval "in principle" was being sought by the district council.

Councillors agreed it was important that they be kept involved in any future decision-making. They also felt strongly about the external changes planned.

They agreed to send the following statement to district councillors: (sic) "This council remains concerned that there is no impingement onto the market place and, as landowner, requires to be involved in any proposal relating to the land exterior to the proposed development of the town hall.

"However, this council welcomes this proposal to improve the town hall."

It was also noted that the plans required the co-operation of the county council.

"As far as I am aware, at this point the county council has not said no," said Coun Heather.

At Wednesday's performances and resources committee on Wednesday, members voted to approve the district council's plans in principle and gave the go-ahead to look at the scheme's implications.

Coun Robert Heseltine said it was something that should probably have been done back in 1974.

"We have an opportunity to provide a more effective public service for Settle and it is time we should address it."

Coun Manuel Comacho said he supported the principle.

"It is about time that we turned one of our liabilities into an asset," he added.