ABINGDON Guildhall’s future could be secured in a deal saving tens of thousands of pounds each year for council tax payers.

Vale of White Horse District Council and Abingdon town councillors have been discussing the smaller authority taking over the management of the civic hall in Abbey Close.

Last year the Vale warned the Guildhall could close because it was costing the council too much to run.

Town council staff and leader Lesley Legge have visited civic halls outside the county to see how they operate in preparation of making a decision.

On November 16, town councillors are expected to decide whether to go ahead with the takeover.

Vale strategic director Matt Prosser said the Guildhall – which has been managed by the council since local government reorganisation in 1974 – cost more than £100,000 a year to run.

He added that savings of about £40,000 a year could be made if the town council opted to establish a separate halls trust.

He said: “If the town council formalised a trust they would have the non-domestic business rate saving of £40,000 a year.

“It is not an easy time for the public sector and we have to look at all sorts of ways of reducing our costs. Transferring the building to the town council... could be a way of reducing costs.”

Mrs Legge said: “This opportunity has come forward from the Vale so the town council is looking at it very seriously.

“Both the Vale and the town council want to make sure that the future of the Guildhall is secure for the town.

“The building is a town facility and therefore it is a responsibility the town could take.

“We feel it is something we could run but we obviously have to make sure that is the case.”

The oldest section of the Guildhall is a listed building. The Abbey Hall extension built in the 1960s.