Approximately 200 residents were welcomed to the meeting about the future of Burnby Hall by town councillor Patrick John (Former army officer and DEFRA policy unit). Patrick was standing in for the Mayor, Roly Cronshaw who was unable to attend. With him were Cllrs Steve McCann (purchasing manager for a major grocer), Sue Carden (semi-retired quantity surveyor), Robert Fisk (Accountant) and others plus the three Pocklington Provincial ward councillors and Cllr Leo Hammond.

• Options for future use of the hall include the Heritage Trust for use as a museum, spaces for local charities, small businesses, and a community hub.
• The timescale of 14 weeks to draw up and submit a business plan is a tight timescale but ER Council are so far being supportive. Initially the town council needs to show an indication of intent and that there is enough interest from the community in an asset transfer.
• The building is not listed but there are several covenants on the future use of the building. Nothing can happen to the building in the future without the agreement of the Burnby Hall Gardens Trust.
• Concern was expressed about the timescale given that some people who might like to help are away on holidays.
• The town council are due to meet with ERYC in September to update them on progress.
• A variety of income streams will be required to fund the building including leasing out parts of the building to voluntary groups who will pay a social rent, hopefully grants and money from local developers.
• One of the options being considered is that the building will be run as a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation). Such an arrangement would, for example, result in saving 80% on rates.
• People with experience of setting up and running a charity are needed plus grant finders, tax accountants and architects.
• Burnby Hall and the community hall cannot be separated and have to be taken over as a single package.
• Cllr Sue Carden is a semi-retired quantity surveyor and has already arranged for a roof survey to be done, and an electrical and mechanical consultant will be taking a look this week. As a QS she will input into potential remedial building costs.
• Cllr Gareth Shepphard said that the councillors would press ER council for as much financial support as possible, especially section 106 money.
• ER Council have shared information about running costs but on close examination it looks like some costs have been inflated. Some costs were presented as sterling figures but it turns out they are in another currency. The figure also includes personnel, which wouldn’t necessarily be included in the future.
• Pocklington Town Council learned that ER Council were planning to divest the building in December last year.Cllr McCann eventually managed to invite himself to a meeting with the previous ward cllrs and officilals. On a number of occasions Cllr McCan tried to meet ER officials but was ignored. Since the elction council officers are being more supportive.