Penrith Town Council this week got behind plans for a new village hall for Carleton residents.
The building is being delivered by Persimmon Lancashire as part of the major Carleton Heights housing project.
Persimmon wrote to the town council asking if it had any interest in taking on the property once it was built.
Councillors got behind the idea at a meeting of Penrith Town Council on Monday night, although it may need volunteers to work in future.
Clerk Viv Tunnadine stressed that it was not a purchase but a transfer and that the town council’s expression of interest would start a conversation.
Councillor Scott Jackson said, as a supporter of the devolution of local government services, it was important that the town council provided spaces in the town for either satellite services, or for community groups, residents’ activities and other organisations.
“I think this is a step in the right direction; the town council has a strong presence in the town and in the wider suburban area of the town,” said Mr Jackson.
“We then have an opportunity to go out to people instead of having them come to us, and I am very excited about this prospect.”
Clerk Ms Tunnadine said the future arrangement would be dependent on a business case the council planned to draw-up.
She said a lot of village halls were run by parishes or run by volunteers, or a combination of both.
The hope would be to have a collaborative relationship with a possible management group, or ‘friends of the village hall’ to play a role in taking it on, the meeting was told.
Ms Tunnadine added: “We are a long way from deciding how it will operate and there are a lot of other things to think about before we get to that.”
Councillor Hilary Snell said: “It’s vital that we do involve local people right from the start and get them involved.”
The meeting was told some local residents had already offered help.
Councillor Deborah Holden said it was important that the new hall was as eco-friendly as possible, while councillor Daniel Jayson suggested the installation of solar panels in a possible sponsorship arrangement with a firm.
Councillor Paul Donald said he liked the idea of the town council being able to provide satellite services at Carleton, while councillor Doug Lawson said in terms of the community reaction, those he had spoken to were “very excited” by the prospect of a new community hall.
The initial design of the hall features a 59ft by 32ft main hall, office, changing rooms, a communal room, toilets and an equipment store.
The council agreed to express an interest which is subject to future contract talks and agreement with Persimmon, and Westmorland and Furness Council.
A report to progress the matter, which will need to be agreed by the town council, will be presented at a future meeting.
