AN 'All Town Survey' that could decide the future of Otley Civic Centre has been delayed.

Otley Town Council had hoped to include the questionnaire in the September edition of its Otley Matters publication, which is sent to all local households.

The survey, which was part of the local Liberal Democrats group's pre-election manifesto, aims to establish for once and all what most residents would like to see happen to the historic building.

But the Lib-Dem controlled council now says a 'slight' delay is necessary before issuing it, to ensure all relevant details are included.

Town council chairman, Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield), said: "I would like to thank everyone who has provided information to help with the town council's proposed All Town Survey into community facilities and the future of the Civic Centre.

"I have to say we have been overwhelmed with the amount of interest and the detailed responses we have received, several of which provided new information that could have an effect on future proposals.

"Given the summer holiday period, it has not been possible to include all this in the survey and redraft it in the short timescale we had set ourselves to try and put it out with the September edition of Otley Matters.

"It would be wrong to go ahead without making sure all new and relevant information is included and consulted upon. For that reason, we have decided to delay slightly the issuing of the questionnaire to make sure all residents have all the relevant facts, and can then offer informed opinions."

Cllr Georgeson hopes the results of the questionnaire will allow the council to move on from the party political bickering that has beset the whole issue of the Civic Centre, which was been closed since 2010.

A Grade II listed building owned by Leeds City Council, the property is the former home of both the town council and many community groups.

It has been in need of investment for decades, but a long-touted, multi-million pound modernisation scheme has failed to materialise.

The local Lib Dems favour a solution that would see the town council once again based in a revamped Civic Centre, under an arrangement that would need to be backed by Leeds City Council.

But Otley Labour Party, which led a feasibility study into the building's future while in power, believes its best chance of reopening is as a commercial venture, probably as an entertainments venue.

The town council is currently based at Otley Core Resource Centre – specially converted and fully accessible leased offices in the town centre.