THE long-awaited refurbishment of Settle Town Hall could be on the cards again.

Craven District Council's Dales Delivery Team has asked to meet Settle town councillors to discuss the creation a one-stop shop and rural service centre.

In a letter to the town council, project delivery manager Jill Armstrong wrote: "I am in the course of ascertaining the requirements of all the current and proposed future users of the town hall which would include the town council's use for council meetings and the clerk's office.

"Also, I am aware that the feasibility work which was carried out in 2005/06 suggested an entrance onto the market place.

"I would like to have some discussions with a council representative to ascertain some principles around what might be acceptable in this connection before we consider further work with architects on designs."

Coun Beth Graham suggested inviting the delivery team to hold a public meeting. However, the council agreed that initially, three councillors would meet with the team to gather further details.

The town hall is owned by the district council and is in a poor state of repair. It is nearly 18 months since the district's chief executive, Gill Dixon, told the town council the authority was looking at refurbishing the building, which was costing £90,000 a year to maintain.

Income was around £19,000 a year, with three retail units being rented out on the ground floor. Now, just one of the units is occupied.

Mrs Dixon told councillors back then that "to do nothing was not an option".

However, the plans require public sector funding from North Yorkshire County Council and to date that has not been confirmed.

Suggestions have been made that refurbishment costs, complete with a new entrance to the market place and improved disabled access, could cost as much as £1 million.

A meeting with Mrs Armstrong is to be organised with councillors Barbara McLernon, Ann Ambrose and Marion Armstrong. The outcome of the discussions will be presented at a future meeting of the town council.