COUNCILLORS have delayed a decision on the fate of a former youth club base near York until a detailed report on their options is prepared.

City of York Council officers estimate that the former school property off Church Lane, in Strensall, requires repairs and alterations totalling more than £67,000 to make it suitable for continued use.

Members of the executive member for resources' advisory panel last night agreed to immediately close the building on health and safety grounds.

They also approved £10,000 from the council's reserves to pay for security and to further investigate the best course of action for the neglected building, which is now surplus to requirements.

The main user of the property, Strensall Pre-School Playgroup, left the site last month, and is moving to new premises in Robert Wilkinson School.

Formerly the old village school before the current site was built, it has housed the youth club for more than 20 years until 1999.

The current options are to reuse it, possibly with a third party community group managing it on a long-term lease, or sell it for housing.

Both Strensall Parish Council and St Mary's Church have expressed an interest in keeping the building going and discussions with community representatives are planned.

Coun Quentin Macdonald, executive member for resources, said selling would be a "last resort".

He hoped that a way could be found to use the building to meet "a serious need for community provision" in the village.

Strensall councillor Ian Cuthbertson said: "This gives us a breathing space to seek a good solution. Now we need to get key members of the community together quickly to agree how we can use the restored premises - or the proceeds of a sale - to the best possible advantage."

Coun Cuthbertson said it was important to provide facilities for the village's youth.

"Something needs to be done for our young folk," he said.

"There are so few opportunities for them to drop in somewhere and enjoy themselves. Even a short-term solution coming from this will help us start to build something for the future."

A detailed report is expected to be submitted to October's meeting of the advisory panel.

Updated: 13:48 Tuesday, June 22, 2004