RYEDALE District Council (RDC) is considering plans to give extra support to the Milton Rooms in Malton.

Councillors have established a new task force to work on plans for the arts venue and consider how it can be best be supported.

Last year the Milton Rooms was turned down for Lottery funding towards a £500,000 redevelopment of the building, which includes the Assembly Rooms and Malton Museum.

The council’s policy and resources committee has now established a cross-party working group with plans to visit other arts venues in the district and elsewhere, co-opt outside expertise and consider a range of options to improve the Milton Rooms.

It is expected to conclude its review by February 2020, when it will present its findings in a report.

Cllr Keane Duncan, leader of the RDC, said he wanted to ensure the council-owned venue gets the support it needs to develop a “long term, sustainable” plan.

He said: “The Milton Rooms is already a valuable community venue, but it has even greater potential.

“The council has given £140k in funding to the Milton Rooms in the last four years and we are now considering awarding extra cash for staff support and extra refurbishment work, but we have a duty to ensure any money is well spent.

“So before we agree, we want to learn from other venues in the region and ensure the money is going where it will make the biggest difference.

“I hope that with extra council support the Milton Rooms can build on its successes and become financially sustainable long into the future.”

RDC is responsible for all maintenance costs of the Milton Rooms as part of a 999-year lease from the Fitzwilliam Estate.

It is managed by the Milton Rooms Committee, a group of volunteers who sub-lease it from the council.

The venue has space for hire and hosts a programme of amateur and professional events, including the town’s pantomime.