Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Hebden Bridge Picture House
Last night Calderdale Cabinet agreed in principle the asset transfer of the Hebden Picture House to Hebden Royd Town Council.
News of the green light for the project is a major boost for officers, councillors and staff at the Picture House - whose jobs are now guaranteed under the terms of the deal.
People living in Hebden Royd - who overwhelmingly backed the measure in a widespread council consultation by an 84 per cent margin - will also be celebrating the news.
Coun Susan Press, Chair of the Picture House Committee, who attended Monday night's Cabinet which agreed the move, said: "I'm delighted that Calderdale has agreed to transfer the Picture House to the Town Council.
This decision reflects the hard work put in by Town Clerk Jason Boom and his colleagues over the past 12 months and also the determination by Town Councillors who have driven this initiative to ensure that we guarantee the Picture House continues to be at the heart of our community for future generations. "
Senior officers in Calderdale are now working towards a deadline of April 1 for the transfer to formally go ahead.
Hebden Bridge Picture House was handed over to Calderdale by the then Urban District Council as a result of local govwernment re-organisation in 1974.
It is one of only three municipally-run cinemas in the country.
See also:
Previous HebWeb coverage of the Picture House
HebWeb Forum: Picture House (Jan 2012)