ONE of the key parts to any Royston town centre strategy has always been the future of the town hall site. The issue has been raised and has been the subject of reports over almost the past 20 years – but there has not been a positive decision. As Cllr Li

ONE of the key parts to any Royston town centre strategy has always been the future of the town hall site.

The issue has been raised and has been the subject of reports over almost the past 20 years - but there has not been a positive decision.

As Cllr Lindsay Davidson said at Royston Town Council's planning committee meeting: "When are we going to move forward on the town hall site."

Over the years talks have been held between the key players on the site - the town council, North Herts District Council, Herts County Council and the then Royston, Buntingford and Bishop's Storford NHS Primary Care Trust.

The current East and North Herts NHS Trust said last month that it was not aware of the history of the site and potential plans for its development.

Jacqui Bunce, the assistant director of commissioning, told members of the district council's Royston area committee that there needed to be "priorities" in the trust's budget.

Cllr Tony Hunter had told her at the meeting: "We have an adventurous project for the site."

He said the idea had "stalled" due to all the changes in the NHS and the setting up of the new trust.

In previous reports, the town council has said the site was suitable for the development of a civic centre which would have a multi-purpose hall that could include a cinema and theatre.

There would also be the possibility of transferring Royston museum to the site.

It now seems to be accepted, however, that the town hall, itself, will be retained and refurbished.

Twelve months ago The Crow raised a number of questions with the district council about that future of the site.

A spokesman said then: "It was envisaged that the project would be a partnership with the principle land and property owners and as such not all would be funded from the district council," he said.

The district council insisted: "Without further discussions with our partners the project will not be able to make progress.