A dispute over the management and funding for the village hall in Long Riston has led to political drama in the village
Long Riston Village Hall(Image: Google)
The future of coffee mornings, toddler playtime, baking, youth community events and flower arranging at a village hall is up in the air as a row rumbles on over who will run it going forward. The whole of Riston Parish Council resigned and the clerk left amid the dispute over who is responsible for the future upkeep of the village hall.
Throughout its long history, there has never been a fallout like the row between councillors and Playing Fields Committee over the future of the village hall in Long Riston. The parish council said it had legal documents from the 1950s which showed it is not responsible for the facility’s maintenance and that responsibility lies with the Playing Fields Committee.
As such, the parish council invited the Playing Fields Committee to step in and take over the running of the hall. However, it is understood the transfer of responsibility was set to go ahead despite no formal agreement being made, plunging the hall’s future into doubt.
The village hall was started by The Women’s Institute in 1923 and could close on March 31 unless a plan for its future upkeep is agreed.
Former parish councillor Richard Wilson said he did not want every taxpayer in Long Riston to stump up for repairs through their annual precept. He said there were documents which stated the Playing Fields Committee was responsible for the hall upkeep.
He added the hall was “beyond its economic life” and a council building report showed it was “damp and had a leaking roof.” The income from the hall from hire fees was £2,500, but it requires £4,000 to maintain.
“It is not for the taxpayers to meet that. Many in the village have walking frames and sticks rather than football boots and tennis racquets, so why should they have to pay for it? But I fear whoever takes over will raise the precept to pay for the repair costs,” Mr Wilson said.
Independent ward Councillor Amanda Talbot told Hull Live: “The Playing Fields Committee does not want to pay for the upkeep and maintenance of the hall but it is where the playing field is.”
Following two village meetings, a new Save Our Village Hall committee was set up. Long Riston Playing Fields Committee posted a statement which said responsibility for the Village Hall had been in the hands of the parish council since 1991 and hoped a plan can be put together to ensure its future.
It said: “When the former Village Hall Committee disbanded, the Parish Council formally agreed, as recorded in its minutes, to assume management of the facility. At that time, additional funds were added to the precept to cover ongoing costs. The Playing Fields Committee has not been responsible for the Village Hall at any time.
“Over recent years, discussions around funding and governance have required substantial input from our volunteers, which has had a noticeable impact on our charity’s time and resources.
“Looking ahead, we have been encouraged by the formation of a new community group arising from efforts to prevent the Village Hall’s closure, and we hope this will help ensure the Hall continues to serve residents. We also look forward to a new Parish Council being elected in the coming weeks and to establishing a constructive working relationship, as existed prior to the May 2023 elections.”
East Riding Of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) has stepped in and has proposed giving power to three ward councillors to co-opt a new parish council. The authority says there are currently eight vacant positions on Riston Parish Council which are being advertised.
Should ten local government electors (registered in the parish of Riston) submit written requests to the council that the vacancies be filled, then it will look to organise an election. The statutory deadline for written requests to be received by ERYC is Wednesday, February 11. If ten valid requests are not received, then ERYC will notify the parish council that they can proceed to co-opt to the vacant positions.
However, as there are no longer any parish councillors in position, in the event of the parish council needing to co-opt new members, East Riding of Yorkshire Council would look to appoint three East Riding councillors to the parish council on a temporary basis to allow it to co-opt new members.