Town hall transfers to community ownership

This article is provided courtesy of the news feed at http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/news

A pioneering asset transfer arrangement will see a West Yorkshire community in become one of the first in the country to take direct responsibility for running its own town hall building.

Calderdale Council this week approved the proposal for Hebden Bridge Town Hall to transfer into the hands of a community-run charitable trust.

The 470-strong Hebden Bridge Community Association was set up specifically to take over the building and develop it into community hub. The group has been given a 40-year lease and will have to meet key targets as part of a management agreement.

The hall will continue to be used by the council as a tenant and the proposals will not affect the town and parish councils who already use the building.

Phase one of the plans include a range of community services as well as meeting and function space for local people. Phase two would see further development of the building to create space for high-tech and creative industries.

The asset transfer proposal was prompted by community concerns that the landmark listed building in the town centre could be at risk of being sold off after former services were withdrawn in recent years and its long-term function became unclear.

Trustee Andrew Bibby said: ‘This is the culmination of more than two years’ detailed discussions with Calderdale and of plenty of hard work by many in our community, all unpaid.

‘We have gone through a detailed business planning process to demonstrate that the town hall will be sustainable financially in the long term under community control.’

He added: ‘Our concept of public ownership is broader that that of national or local state control. We’re looking back to earlier 19th century models of mutuality and common interest, as well as forward towards new workable 21st century models.’

Cllr Ian Cooper, Calderdale Council spokesperson for safer and stronger communities, said the transfer would ‘give local people more influence and a greater sense of identity’ as well as ‘help to strengthen community cohesion’.

“As a council, we want to preserve the borough’s heritage and develop local business and talent. This scheme will help us to do just that.’