Holmfirth Civic Hall should have a brighter future after Kirklees Council gets set to transfer its ownership to Holme Valley Parish Council.
In October last year the Examiner reported that the civic venue’s future was in doubt after Kirklees announced it was no longer taking bookings from April, 2016.
Local residents were anxious to save the building , part of which dates back to 1842, from closure and anxious to make it a thriving hub once more.
Due to budget cuts Kirklees says it is no longer able to look after the Victorian building which is used by numerous community groups.
A report by council officers says the venue has been used by the local community since 1947 when it was created following the amalgamation of the former Drill Hall and the former Town Hall.
Officers say: “The Hall is currently under-occupied, however the parish council has consulted about potential future uses of the hall and has developed plans to generate increased footfall.
“The hall is in an acceptable state of repair, however a 2009 condition survey identified that works totalling £50,000 were required.
“The main areas for investment were roofs – £11,000 – walls, windows and doors – £19,000 – and ceilings and floors – £11,000.”
However, a further survey by the parish council in January this year identified remedial repairs required to walls, roofs and joinery totalling £87,000.
The current cost of running the building excluding staffing costs was £37,500 in 2014/15 and £28,816 in 2015/16.
Current income generated annually for 2015/16 is a healthy £35,000.
Cabinet portfolio holder Clr Graham Turner has recommended the freehold transfer of the hall to the parish council for no fee subject to various restrictive covenants to ensure its use is for the benefit of the community.
The matter will be discussed at a meeting of the Cabinet on Tuesday at Huddersfield Town Hall .
