The Lincolnshire Guide > News > District Council opens negotiations with Town Council over future of the Town Hall

District Council opens negotiations with Town Council over future of the Town Hall

East Lindsey District Council’s Executive Board has agreed to open negotiations with Horncastle Town Council in relation to Horncastle Town Hall.

The Executive Board revisited its decision of July 14, 2009, to demolish the building after a Scrutiny Review set up by the District Council suggested in light of a new approach from the Town Council after the July meeting, it should consider opening negotiations with the Town Council before progressing with the demolition. 

The Scrutiny review concluded that the process the Council had followed in reaching its original decision was correct and that it was in line with good practice.

The District Council has no use for the Town Hall and can’t justify spending the predicted £249k in maintenance costs over the next ten years, plus ongoing running costs, particularly when records show the hall has only had around 12 regular hall users.

In May 2005, the District Council did offer the Town Council the Town Hall but this offer was rejected.  Now the Town Council is being given that opportunity again after approaching the District Council in August (2009) with a request to ‘take on the responsibility for the Town Hall and car park’ and to re-open negotiations.

The Town Council will need to precept for the refurbishment, management and maintenance costs associated with the Town Hall as part of the Council Tax they request from the people of Horncastle, as other Town and Parish Councils do.

Portfolio Holder for Partnership and Rural Services, Councillor Edward Mossop, said of today’s decision: “The future of Horncastle Town Hall has evoked a strong response from the local community.  By agreeing to open negotiations with Horncastle Town Council we hope we are able to agree a solution that the people of Horncastle will be happy with.  It is right that if the people of Horncastle wish to help and modernise this facility then the costs should fall on them and not the whole District.”

The District Council and Town Council both moved their respective offices from the Town Hall in November 2008 to form a temporary Customer Access Point in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council at Horncastle Library.  This brought together all key Council services with more flexible open hours in one location close to the centre of the town.

Negotiations on handover arrangements will begin between the two Councils shortly.

Article Published: 10/11/2009

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