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15

Mar 2022

Last Updated: 15/03/2022
Politics
Politics

Proceeds from the sale of Ripon's Spa Baths 'must not go to Harrogate'

by Tim Flanagan

| 15 Mar, 2022
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The leader of Ripon City Council says Ripon did not receive a penny from Harrogate Borough Council when it took over Spa Baths so it should be returned free of charge when the borough council is abolished next year.

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Ripon city councillors are determined that proceeds from the sale of Ripon Spa Baths must not go to the soon-to-be-defunct Harrogate Borough Council.

A 'for sale' sign remains in place at the baths, a listed building that was once the centrepiece of Ripon's Edwardian spa quarter.

The baths permanently closed on November 7, four months before the delayed opening of Ripon's new multi-million pound pool at Dallamires Lane.

The building was put on the market by Harrogate Borough Council after being deemed to be 'surplus to requirements'.

Photo od For Sale Sign at Ripon's Spa Baths

Ripon councillors are adamant that money from the sale of Spa Baths should not go to Harrogate Borough Council.





Ripon City Council successfully applied for the building to be listed as an asset of community value — which means the community has six months to formulate a bid to buy it.

At the same time, Harrogate Borough Council, which will be abolished in 13 months, has selected an unnamed preferred bidder to take on the building.

The city council has continued to meet with the preferred developer to discuss the site's future use.

It said the two parties have held 'constructive discussions' designed to maintain community use at the site as part of wider redevelopment proposals.

Independent Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams received unanimous support from members at last week's full council meeting for a proposal to appoint consultants, who will advise the council on progressing the ACV application.

He said:

"The developer has said that they are happy to work in partnership with us and, this being the case, there is no reason why Harrogate Borough Council, which is in its dying embers, should receive any money from sale of the building.
"Ripon did not receive a single penny from Harrogate when it took over Spa Baths and other city assets in 1974 so it's reasonable to expect the borough council to return the properties at no cost to the city council."





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The return of assets


Ripon, along with other parish and town councils that became part of the Harrogate district in 1974, have been seeking the transfer back of assets ranging from halls to market squares.

However, a notice of motion to this effect presented at February's full Harrogate Borough Council meeting by Ripon independent councillor Pauline McHardy was defeated after a stormy debate by the Conservative-controlled authority.

At that meeting, Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper said the motion “simply isn’t legal'”.

He said that the borough council itself can not produce takeover plans for its own buildings to be run by local councils.

At the meeting, Cllr Cooper expressed doubts about the ability of town and parish councils to manage and operate assets, but added Harrogate Borough Council was: 

“Seeking to get better services for residents run from these assets is where we should be focusing.
“If parishes can do it better and put together a delivery plan – great.
“I wish them all well and good luck in managing those services from parish, city and town councils. But what I am seeking to do is make sure they get control of assets and run great services from them legally, quickly and sensibly."