Police’s move into Ripon Town Hall delayed
It follows changes to the way the council operates in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Police’s planned move into Ripon Town Hall has been delayed with no date in place for when it might happen.
In February, the office for Zoe Metcalfe, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC), said refurbishment of space in the town hall was already underway to give officers more of a presence in the city centre.
However, this was questioned by Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams who told the Local Democracy Reporting Service in April that work was yet to begin.
The works will cost North Yorkshire Police £91,000 and will see a public consultation room, an office and a break out room added for officers to use.
A spokesman for the PFCC confirmed that work at the town hall had not started and blamed the changes in local government for the delay.
Harrogate Borough Council owned the building until April 1 when it was handed to the new unitary authority North Yorkshire Council.
The spokesman said: “I can confirm that there has been a slight delay in the schedule for the local policing team moving into Ripon Town Hall.
“This has been due to the change in local government structure where the local agreement to occupy space in Ripon Town Hall made with Harrogate Borough Council, now needs to be signed off by the new North Yorkshire Council.”
North Yorkshire Council was also unable to say when works will begin.
The council’s corporate director of resources, Gary Fielding, said: “We are continuing to work with North Yorkshire Police and Ripon City Council regarding the future of Ripon Town Hall over how to best serve the needs of local residents.”