Pictures reveal ‘unacceptable’ condition of Scarborough Town Hall site

​“Deeply unpleasant odours” and “uncivilised” conditions have forced council staff in Scarborough to work from home or relocate to spaces that were not designed as offices.

​It comes as North Yorkshire Council approved an ‘asset rationalisation’ plan, including the purchase of Resolution House by the A64 for an undisclosed sum and a move of staff from Scarborough Town Hall and Ryedale House.​

​The authority has said that new customer access points will be created in town centre sites in Scarborough and Malton.

​At a special scrutiny meeting on Thursday, March 26, councillors were told about the concerning condition of the buildings at the Town Hall site.

​Deputy leader of the council, Cllr Gareth Dadd, said: “In a civilised society, we cannot let our staff work in these conditions, and the time for action has come.”

​A presentation gave councillors a glimpse of the deteriorating coastal building, but corporate director for resources, Gary Fielding, said the pictures did not tell the whole story.

​“The photographs don’t capture the full odours, and some of those areas are deeply unpleasant to walk around due to the smell and damp from over the years.”

​A group of coastal and independent councillors called for a “full independent cost assessment” and for a full meeting of the authority to decide on the scheme, which was announced by the council earlier this month.

Dilapidated Condition Of Scarborough Town Hall Campus. Courtesy Nyc

​Despite concerns about the economic impact of the plans on Scarborough town centre and questions about financial due diligence, the overview and scrutiny committee voted against the motion that called for a delay to the decision.

​NYC director, Mr Fielding, told members: “It’s worth remembering that Resolution House has been refurbished to a very high spec by Anglo American, and we have had assessment support from Align Property.

​“It’s in extremely good condition.”

​Mr Fielding added that due to the condition of the town hall site, “staff are not inclined to work from the office” and that it was “quite hard to enforce” a policy encouraging staff to work on-site.

Poor Condition Of Scarborough Town Hall Campus. Courtesy Of Nyc

​The Scarborough town hall site is made up of four buildings: The listed Town Hall building, a 1950’s/1960’s extension, York House (the old Brewery), and the Customer Services building.

​The scheme has been presented as a way to avoid up to £19 million of costs to upgrade “appalling working conditions” at the ageing coastal town hall site, and could see Malton’s Ryedale House office sold to make way for housing.

Empty Office Space At Scarborough Town Hall Campus. Courtesy Of Nyc.

​Deputy leader, Cllr Dadd, said: “I believe what we are buying is virtually risk-free and helps regenerate Scarborough. If we miss this opportunity, we’re missing the opportunity of a generation.”

​​​According to a report prepared for the executive committee, the scheme would create “minimum ongoing savings in property running costs of £400,000 per annum and savings of more than £20 million in backlog maintenance liabilities across Ryedale House and Scarborough Town Hall”.