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Jul 2021

Last Updated: 26/07/2021

Politics

Devolution prompts Ripon to take charge of city assets

by Tim Flanagan

| 27 Jul, 2021

Two high profile Ripon buildings are in the spotlight, as councillors seek certainty over the future of city assets

Harrogate Borough Council's impending demise following last week's devolution decision has prompted Ripon councillors to secure the future of two city assets.

A 'for sale' sign remains in place outside Spa Baths, but city councillors at their July full meeting agreed to progress an application to nominate the Edwardian building for listing as an Asset of Community Value.

At the same time, they agreed to renew calls for Harrogate Borough Council to transfer the freehold of Hugh Ripley Hall — a building named in honour of Ripon's last wakeman and first mayor.

Council leader Andrew Williams said:

"We have been told by Harrogate Borough Council that the freehold on the hall is not available and they have no plans to sell the building.

"With our lease still having 30 years to run and changes coming about through devolution on the horizon, it would seem sensible for the city council to take over the freehold.

"Under the terms of the lease, we have responsibility for maintaining the building, but have to apply for permission from the landlord (Harrogate Borough Council) for any work we need to carry out on it.

"That's just a complete waste of everybody's time."

Ripon's Spa Baths reopened in May, after being closed for more than a year by the covid lockdown.

Weeks before the reopening, Harrogate Borough Council put the 116-year-old listed building up for sale, despite protests that it could lose its community use if bought by a private developer.

Groups including, Ripon Civic Society and Ripon Together have supported the city council's call for the sale to be suspended, to allow more time for proposals to be brought forward.

With the call to put the sales process on hold rejected by Harrogate Borough Council, Ripon councillors are pursuing the asset of community value route.

If successful, it would secure the baths — a key element of the city's spa quarter — for community purposes.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council previously said:

“We have no plans to withdraw the sale of Ripon Spa Baths.

“The building will soon become surplus to our requirements and we do not have the resources to maintain it.

“Selling the baths for redevelopment, subject to planning permission and listed building consents, would allow this local asset to be given a new lease of life, retain its key features and remain as a city landmark.

“Ripon City Council, or another interested party, is welcome to submit a bid.”

Will devolution affect HBC's development and disposal plans?

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The spokesperson added that the building will no longer be needed when construction of Ripon's new pool and refurbishment of the leisure centre is completed by November.

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Devolution prompts Ripon to take charge of city assets

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