Councillors in Mirfield are turning up the heat in their bid to take over a public building.

Kirklees Council has revealed plans to sell off Mirfield council offices in Huddersfield Road.

But Mirfield Town Council, the only organisation now based at the premises, wants Kirklees to hand over the building as part of an ‘asset transfer.’

Mayor of Mirfield Clr Vivien Lees-Hamilton and town councillors Kath and James Taylor say Kirklees is dragging its heels over maintenance and is failing to properly look after the building.

A new boiler installed three months ago is set on maximum meaning the building is always too hot while the town council has been left in the dark – literally – after reporting that most of the bulbs in high-level chandeliers are out.

Clr James Taylor said: “How many council workmen does it take to change a lightbulb? There are two massive chandeliers in the council offices and we reported that most of the bulbs were out last October.

“It’s only a five-minute job but it’s too high for us to do it ourselves.

“Then there’s the boiler. Kirklees have replaced it but it doesn’t have a timer and it’s going 24/7.”

Clr Taylor said that at last month’s town council meeting the council chamber was so hot the mayor chaired the meeting in a short-sleeved top and the meeting had to break for 15 minutes for people to go outside to cool off!

Kirklees Council is in the midst of selling off land and buildings or handing them over to community groups to run, known as an asset transfer.

In December the Examiner revealed that the council offices and a highways depot behind had been earmarked for sale.

Clr Lees-Hamilton said the town council wanted to take over the building and run it for the benefit of the community.

“Kirklees is keen on asset transfers and is talking about devolving power to a local level so if they can’t maintain this building properly they should get on and hand it over.”

Meanwhile, Kirklees Council has also come under fire over a broken down boiler at Mirfield Community Centre in Water Royd Lane.

Centre manager Theresa O’Gorman said the boiler had not been working since November and temporary heaters failed to keep the building warm.

Kirklees Council has said replacing the boiler and removing asbestos would cost £30,000.