Greg Mulholland-Working Hard For Leeds North WestOTLEY MP CALL ON LEEDS TO GIVE OTLEY A FAIR DEAL OVER CIVIC CENTRE
May 30, 2005 12:00 AM
New Otley MP Greg Mulholland has called on Leeds City Council to make the right decision for Otley and invest in refurbishment of Otley Civic Centre.
Greg Mulholland praised Otley Town Council for the professional way it has approached the recent feasibility study. He said, "I am pleased that Leeds City Council commissioned this vital study and that the Town Council co-operated to get the best possible assessment of all options. Unfortunately, the costs are significantly higher than some early estimates, but it is critical that we are able to decide on the basis of accurate information."
Responding to the study's finding that refurbishment of the existing Centre is much the cheapest option, Greg said, "I believe that refurbishment is now the best option for Leeds City Council, and the best option for Otley. Some feared that the cost of bringing the old building up to modern standards would be prohibitive. I am delighted that we have shown that this is not the case."
However, the study shows that the cost of the project will be slightly over £1.7 million.
Commenting, Greg said, "This is too much for Otley Town Council to raise on its own. The people of Otley pay their Council Tax to Leeds. They must not be asked to pay twice."
The alternative of a new building on a different site is considered by the feasibility study, and the cost estimated at £3.27 million. Mulholland said this should no longer be regarded as an attractive option: "It makes no sense not to refurbish the existing Civic Centre when the cost is so much less. I want to help the people of Otley keep their Civic Centre, and put it back in a state they can be proud of. I am calling on Leeds City Council to invest as they did in Pudsey's civic facilities. The people of Otley deserve a fair deal."
Concluding, the new MP said, "It is very unfortunate that the Civic Centre was allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair after it was saved from closure in 1983. The situation where Leeds City Council owns the building but expects the Town Council to take responsibility for its upkeep has not been satisfactory."
"I am delighted that we are finally making progress on the long-standing issue. Once Otley has a Civic Centre it can be proud of, I hope we can look again at its ownership with the same constructive approach we have seen in recent months from Town and City Councils."
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