The Ilkley Manor House roof needs major repairs. The Council and Trust negotiate funding for the £100,000 overhaul.
The Trust comprises local residents. They love Ilkley Manor House and run it without Council money. The Council remains the landlord.
Now, roof repairs are very expensive. The Trust is in negotiations with the Council to discuss who will pay for the roof.
The Manor House roof needs work. This finds the problems, as tiles fell from the roof last year. The Trust reported a dangerous structure to the Council.
Scaffolding went up, with the Trust paying for some of it. The Council also added scaffolding to protect the public.
The Trust had the roof surveyed. A contractor said it needs a total overhaul, specifying that slates must be removed. Most slates will be re-used, but some need replacements, and insulation would improve energy bills.
The total cost is about £100,000. The Trust talks to the Council and discusses who pays for the roof renewal.
Bradford Council owns the Manor House and acknowledges the major repair is their job. However, they claim they can’t afford the works.
Special events bring income, and weddings help keep the Manor House open. However, scaffolding news hurt event bookings, and some potential hirers cancelled.
Sir Rodney Brooke, who leads the Ilkley Manor House Trust, spoke. He said the house is culturally important and holds local historic relics.
He states that it is the oldest civic building which sits on a Roman fort. He believes the house is vital and is part of Bradford’s history. Trustees aim to protect this heritage.
Sarah Thomas, who chairs Ilkley Manor House Trust, also spoke. She explained that the Trust rescued it from closure. The Manor House is now a vital part of the area, and they have done it without any financial support.
The Trustees believe the Council must help.
Roger Tilbrook leads the negotiations. He hopes for a positive outcome and says the Council should fund the roof. He believes that the Council should recognize its responsibility, especially in Bradford’s UK City of Culture year.
A Bradford Council spokesperson responded. They stated that they met with the Ilkley Manor House Trust and discussed the needed roof repairs. They pledged to keep working with The Trust, acknowledging that the building stands on a Roman fort and is an important, historic building.