Town council considers making bid to take over control of Whitby harbour

WHITBY’s famous harbour could be run by the town council under proposals being considered for public assets to be transferred into local hands.

Whitby Town Council’s harbour committee is planning to request the change as part of a consultation by Scarborough Borough Council on community asset transfer, which could see day-to-day control of community facilities passed to parish councils and charitable organisations.

Whitby Town Council is drawing up a list of public amenities – including the harbour – which it would like to run.

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Coun Phil Trumper said: “With the Localism Bill, the opportunity is there for parish councils and local organisations to take over assets in the community asset transfer.

“It’s local people running local assets.

“It’s easier to control if it’s locally run, because we’re able to concentrate on these areas and the money that’s generated can be put into them.”

The money generated from the harbour area, which includes parking and mooring fees, is currently collected by Scarborough Borough Council and used across its remit.

Whitby Town Council would aim to use that revenue to
invest directly back into the harbour.

Coun Trumper added: “Local knowledge is very important.

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“When you’ve got a large council running so many different areas, they aren’t getting as much funding as they might. It’s easier to micro-manage.”

He said the proposal was not just a case of Whitby trying to move away from Scarborough Borough Council, but was part of a 
serious national attempt to run public assets in the most sensible way.

A spokesman for Scarborough Borough Council said: “Consultation about the community asset transfer plan continues until September 7.

“We would welcome all views as part of that consultation, including those of Whitby Town Council.”

The consultation on the scheme is available on the borough council’s website, www.scarborough.gov.uk, under the heading council and elections.