I HAVE no doubts at all that Malton town manager Mick Gains' views on the Milton Rooms are shared by most people in the twin towns.

The subject has become a huge hardy annual and a joke for years now.

It is a dysfunctional relic from the 1920s and an eyesore inside and out. Mr Gains is a realist. It is time to demolish it and give our community a new multi-purpose building for recreational and social events. It could be a theatre and cinema, a community centre, banqueting centre, ballroom, whatever we need.

Our Scrooge-like Ryedale District councillors must be delighted to pass it on to yet another 'new' committee of volunteers. Ten brave souls who have no idea of what they are letting themselves in for.

It is, and should be, Ryedale District Council's responsibility to provide leisure and social recreational facilities. They hold the 999 year lease but have neglected the Milton Rooms over the 25 years I have lived here.

Now they are passing on the sour fruits of their neglect.

Why have they failed over the years to apply for lottery and other grants on offer to create better social and recreation facilities?

To its shame the council reneged on its promise to provide a central Ryedale sports centre and new swimming pool.

We should remember this when they come canvassing our votes in a year or so. The council, unlike most, is debt-free and has millions invested (six or seven million I understand, left over from the sale of council homes ten years ago).

One can only admire the optimism of Norris Binner who thinks the committee can raise £165,000 from various sources, including Malton Town Council which, in fact, appears to be hoarding cash, just like Ryedale.

It is time Malton and Norton had first-class sports and recreational facilities, not third or even no class.

But it will not happen until we have councillors, at district and town level, who can demonstrate qualities of leadership. We need a few Sven Goran Eriksons, not the tired unimaginative lot we now have.

Town manager Gains is obviously an action man who can bring the changes we need, given time and the support.

We need more blasts of his fresh thinking, not more tired old dither and fudge.

Updated: 12:32 Thursday, September 27, 2001