CLECKHEATON Town Hall could be brought back into use under new proposals, it has been revealed.

The much-loved building has been closed for more than a year after Kirklees Council confirmed that £7 million would be required to repair and refurbish the building before it could reopen safely.

Since then, the Council has been working with the community and the local MP on plans for the building’s future.

At a meeting next week, Kirklees Council’s Cabinet will decide whether to hand over the running of the buildings to a local community group.

The report to the Cabinet’s meeting recommends inviting community groups to submit a business case to the Council, detailing how they would plan to run the building as well as ideas to raise funds for its upkeep.

If approved, the chosen group would take the lead in managing the town hall and raising funds for the much-needed improvements.

With its finances under strain, Kirklees Council said it will not be able to commit to the estimated multi-million-pound building works needed to bring it up to a high standard.

The town hall also costs around £200,000 each year to maintain.

But it has since been identified that a partnership approach could potentially unlock external funding and secure the building’s future.

Councillor Graham Turner, cabinet member for finance and regeneration, said: “Cleckheaton Town Hall has held a valued place in the community for many years – but, as a historic building, it also needs a lot of care and maintenance. There’s no shortage of love for the building, but we need a plan to make sure it’s safe and viable to use.

“Over the past few months, we’ve been talking to the local MP and members of the community about the way forward and we’re now ready to put forward a proposal.  With the council’s finances under major strain, it’s clear we need to think innovatively about how the building is managed and how we can raise funds for vital building work.

“A partnership approach might well be the best way to bring the town hall back into use, and to give the community who love this building so much the greatest possible involvement.  We want to put that idea out to the community, and I’d love us to be able to work with either one group or multiple to explore feasible options for this building’s future.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done, but this proposal gives us the best chance of getting Cleckheaton Town Hall back up and running.”