Further discussion over town hall sale plan

The planned sale of Pudsey Town Hall to save money could be reconsidered if a challenge to Leeds City Council's decision is successful.

The authority decided to put the vacant building, on Robin Lane, on the market due to the high maintenance costs.

The decision prompted more than 1,000 people to sign a petition opposing the move in the summer.

The plans will be debated at a council scrutiny board in January after a request by opposition councillors, led by Conservative member Andrew Carter. It means the sale decision could be referred back to the council for re-consideration, or go ahead.

A formal request for a review of the sale decision said: "There has been inadequate consultation with local members regarding the disposal of Pudsey Town Hall."

Leeds City Council was in talks with non-profit Pudsey Town Hall Community Interest Company (CIC), but said no viable way forward could be found, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The call-in request said there had been a "failure to fully engage effectively with the CIC over the past two years, particularly in a timely manner."

The councillors said the sale would also lead to a loss of historic memorabilia at the 19th Century hall.

The call-in report said: "The proposed course of action aims to realise a capital receipt, however the disposal will have a disproportionate impact on the local community.

"Since closure to the public in 2016, the council has failed to find alternative uses for the building and properly explore viable alternative options."

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