What's the future for the Northside Community Hall

Up to £85,000 might have to be spent on the Northside Community Hall, town councillors have been told.

It comes as a request has been made to support the future of the community hall along Canal Road.

At last night's Resources Committee, members were provided with a report on the options for the future of the hall.

Powys County Council owns the hall and has a "held over" lease agreement with the town council and hall committee.

The report to councillors stated: "The original offer of a community asset transfer of ownership has been revised to a medium-term community asset lease of 25 to 30 years, and any further delay may result in the removal of this offer altogether."

The committee was last night given three potential options to secure the hall's future. This included supporting the existing hall committee takeover; committ to a 25-30 year lease; or exploring alternative options.

Council officer, Lee Davies, told the committee that he believed the roof needed replacing and the estimate for this could bebtween £50-£85,000.

"The committee's decision holds substantial implications for the community, and the outlined options provide a clear roadmap for the future of Northside Hall," added the report.

However, the council committee, made up of five menbers, said the majority of councillors should be involved in a decision and the matter should go to full council.

Cllr Jackie Molloy-Davies, said: "It is an old building. We do need it, but financially we do need to look at it more closely."

The hall also has a small playpark that needed considering.

Cllr Mike Childs said he was concerned the town council would be subsidising the private nursery business operating at the hall in the daytime. "I can't justify council tax payers to pay that."

The committee said it supported the hall committee but was concerned about the 25 year lease arrangement without knowing more about the potential costs.

It was added that a report into the provision of community meeting facilities in Newtown had previously identified an "over capacity" in the town.

The matter will go before the full council.