Otley Town Council has taken the first steps towards a new multi-purpose civic centre in a bid to avoid a multi-million pound repair bill.

Quotes to repair the current Otley Civic Centre, on Boroughgate, are in excess of £4million and councillors have decided it is time to look for a new venue.

Otley Town Council decided, at a meeting on Monday night, to write to Leeds City Council, the owner of the centre, to enter into formal discussions about the possibility of creating a new civic centre in the town.

The minimum repair costs to comply with the Disability and Discrimination Act 2004 and make part of the building accessible is at least £1million.

Some councillors feel that a new centre with better facilities and more space would be more beneficial than facing the current rising repair costs.

Councillor Colin Campbell said: "There was some discussion about the Civic Centre whether to refurbish it or relocate it.

"We have had some quotes for repairs and between the owners Leeds City Council and ourselves just to do the outstanding repairs are likely to cost the best part of £1million.

"The Town Council has decided to write to Leeds City Council formally and say that rather than spending money on repairs to spend it on a replacement building.

"This is the first stage. It is not going to close tomorrow. If everything works we could get something up and running within the next seven years.

"It would be more prudent to spend money on a new multi-purpose building which could provide extra facilities to meet the needs of the people of Otley.

"We have looked at the possibility of a site off Westgate at Ashfield Works. It is just one of many ideas.

"We want provision for a modern hall where we can hold proper shows and functions and have meeting rooms. Potentially it needs to be within reasonable distance from the jubilee clock and accessible for everyone and if we could provide car parking that would be beneficial."

Otley mayor, Councillor Nigel Francis, wants to act quickly to try and secure any money available from the proposed Bondgate Sainsbury's development for a new civic centre.

"We would like to see some of the funds diverted to building a new civ-