CRAVEN District Council may rethink its controversial Skipton Town Hall charges for non-profit making groups following a barrage of complaints from charities and local organisations.

Last month the council decided to more than double its charges for non-commerical groups from April 1, with a five-hour session in the main hall increasing from £35 to £87.50.

It defended the massive increase by saying the extra cash would be spent on giving the town hall a face lift with a package of measures costing £29,000.

But the council has faced a backlash from furious local groups who have also vented their anger via the letters page of the Herald.

And Skipton Townswomen's Guild has already switched venues to St Andrew's Church Hall for a jumble sale because it cannot afford the new charges.

As the Herald went to press, the council's finance and property committee chairman Eric Jaquin announced that the charges would be reviewed as a matter of urgency next Wednesday.

"I have asked for a report to be brought to the next finance and property committee meeting so that we can review the complaints received and consider what alternatives are available to reduce the effects on the charities concerned whilst considering the impact on the proposed refurbishment scheme and the effects on the council's overall budget strategy," he said.

Coun Jaquin added that the council wished to remain on good terms with all organisations which used its facilities.

This latest move was welcomed by Brian Sparks, treasurer of fundraisers the Skipton and Craven Lions.

"We hope they will have a re-think on these charges because it's been put through without much thought as to the consequences," he said.

"The Lions have around 24 sessions a year booked at the town hall and these are in danger of being cancelled because we just can't afford them."

And Suzanne Metcalfe, from the Craven Canine Assocation, commented: "There should be some greater distinction between people using the town hall on a commercial basis to make money, and local organisations who are providing a service."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.