Ryedale House in Malton set to close 'by end of year'

Staff at the North Yorkshire Council offices in Old Malton Road are due to move to other sites including Stanley Harrison House in Norton and Resolution House, located 20 miles away in Eastfield, near Scarborough.

But the closure is progressing before any formal public announcement has been made, prompting Cllr Keane Duncan, who represents Norton on North Yorkshire Council, to warn that councillors and residents are being "left in the dark".

In March, North Yorkshire Council's executive committee approved the purchase of Resolution House, from Anglo American.

The report to the committee also recommends the investment of up to £750k to support the establishment of new front-facing customer service points in Malton and Scarborough - which would lose its town hall - and to fund costs associated with the advancement of redevelopment proposals for vacated sites.

Ryedale House is currently home to a number of important public-facing services, including the Jobcentre, North Yorkshire Police, council customer services and the registry office.

However, no detailed plan has yet been published setting out exactly where services will move to or how they will be delivered in future.

But Ryedale House's canteen is due to close from October 1 and bookings for weddings are no longer being accepted at the venue.

Cllr Duncan, who was the last leader of Ryedale District Council before its abolition, said: "It's become clear that rumours of Ryedale House's closure are correct, with the process expected to be complete by the end of the year.

"Yet there has been no public announcement or clear plan discussed with councillors or residents.

"Our staff also have unresolved questions.

"We've been left in the dark and trying to piece together what is happening while the closure races forward.”

He added: "These are not simply council offices. Ryedale House is an important public service hub for this part of North Yorkshire.

"Ryedale must not be forgotten or relegated to a second-class status.

It's essential council services, as well as the Jobcentre and community police station, remain open in our area.

"Right now, we do not have the information or guarantees we need.”

Ryedale House currently provides back-office meeting and office space, along with the council's main customer service centre for the Malton area.

The customer service centre also provides a single front-door access point for customers to reach the DWP and Community Police and handles around 100 face-to-face enquiries each week.

The report to councillors said the condition of Ryedale House was assessed as poor, and the net running costs – excluding allowances for backlog maintenance - equate to £290k per annum.

In March, council papers described the wider operational proposals affecting public buildings like Ryedale House as being at an "early, exploratory stage", with further detailed planning, consultation and engagement required.

However, Cllr Duncan said there had been no decision by councillors to close Ryedale House.

He said: "We were assured proposals were at an early stage and more discussion would follow, yet the closure is already under way.

"The council now needs to be upfront, publishing a clear timetable and explaining how key local services will be delivered now and into the future.”

Ryedale House in Malton was opened in 1974 when the Ryedale District Council was established.

It was formally opened by the late Princess Margaret.