Skipton Town Council says it wants to take over the running of Aireville Park and public toilets in the town centre.
The assets were previously owned by Craven District Council but were handed to the new unitary authority North Yorkshire Council on 1st April.
A central pledge in the case for local government reorganisation, called “double devolution”, was that town and parish councils could be given more powers if they can make a successful business case.
Councils across North Yorkshire had until 31st March to submit expressions of interest in running assets in their areas.
North Yorkshire Council will pick six councils to run pilots that are set to begin from April next year.
Town councillor David Noland, who is also the Green Party member for Skipton North & Embsay-with-Eastby on the new council, said the town council’s bid includes the public toilets behind the town hall as well as Aireville Park.
He said the council decided against making an offer to run Craven Leisure.
Cllr Noland said: “The toilets need to be upgraded. Visitors come off coaches at the town hall car park and we think they need a better welcome with clean and modern toilets. We’d like to take responsibility and give people a good welcome.”
Cllr Noland pointed to the recent success of Gargrave’s “world-class” public toilets, which were successfully taken over by a community group. He added:
“We want to raise the standard of Skipton for visitors.”
The North Yorkshire Council budget for the toilets and park would be transferred to the town council as part of a legal agreement if the bid was successful. This would commit the council to maintaining at least the same level and standard of service currently delivered.
If the town council wanted to make enhancements, it may have to meet the associated costs.
Cllr Noland said the town council received a presentation from Truro City Council earlier this year which had been on a similar journey several years ago.
The council in Cornwall now has responsiblity for its own park that holds successful events and markets throughout the year. Cllr Noland added:
“We have high hopes and we’d love to take more responsibility for Aireville Park. Instead of moaning about North Yorkshire Council, we’d like to do something about it on our own doorstep.”
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