A TOWN manager could be appointed in Skipton to support the delivery of the renaissance plan.

The idea was discussed at a town council meeting last Thursday, but mayor Paul English said the post had been in the pipeline for the last 18 months to two years.

The majority of councillors backed the idea and it has been passed to full council for its consideration.

The post will carry a salary in the region of £27,000 and a draft job description lists the manager's responsibilities as being the first point of contact on town centre issues, liaising with organisations to enhance Skipton, supporting the town's renaissance team, having a key role in festivals, shows and events, marketing in Skipton and encouraging crime reduction partnerships.

The proposal is that Craven District Council, Skipton Town Council and Yorkshire Forward will provide funding for the scheme over three years.

However there were suggestions at the meeting that North Yorkshire County Council should become a financial partner and Craven's head of economic and community development Jonathan Kerr said some large businesses in Skipton might be interested in joining the scheme.

Coun Robert Heseltine was in favour of the scheme, telling the town council that it should "kick it off, not kick it out".

He added "North Yorkshire County Council should be a substantial if not major contributor. He who calls the piper pays the tune."

Mr Kerr told members that he had not yet spoken to anyone at the county council so had not had chance to give them "the full sales pitch".

o Six people have been elected on to a management group to bring Skipton's renaissance projects to reality.

The six are due to meet today (Friday) to prepare to supervise and prioritise a whole range of projects that could change the landscape and environment of the town.

The six were: John Kerwin-Davey, who has retail and property interests in the town; Katherine Mills, who runs a small environmental company called Equilibria Group based in Bradley; Mark Verity, who transferred his company Verity Fine Worsteds from Otley to Skipton recently; Peter Rigby, former UK chief executive of Handy and Harman, an American electronic components company; Betty Campbell, a former Aireville teacher and member of Skipton Town Council; and Jane Gazzard, a member of the management board of Craven Voluntary Action.

They will be joined by six representatives from nominated organisations to form the Skipton Renaissance Management Team - Paul English representing Craven District Council, Mike Doyle from North Yorkshire County Council, Alan Blackwell from Craven College and a nominee from Skipton Town Council, Skipton Chamber of Trade and Skipton Building Society.

The group of 12 has been instructed to move quickly - Coun English has already gone on record saying that he hopes to see "cranes in Skipton by April".

Many projects have been identified but the management team has to work out which will be given top priority.

In the coming weeks the team will prepare an investment plan to present to Yorkshire Forward, the Government's funding agency for the region.

It will be a detailed written document describing what each project is, its expected consequences and benefits, a time scale and details of how the project will be delivered once funding is achieved.

As well as the 12 members of the Renaissance Management Team, other members of the public have volunteered to work on groups undertaking further research and consultation on projects.