THE battle to save Horncastle Town Hall has taken another turn as East Lindsey's executive board is set to look at it again next month.

At Wednesday's full council meeting, a motion was proposed by Cllr Daniel Simpson to have the decision and the way the whole process was handled looked at again by the district's overview and scrutiny committee.

The committee is made up of councillors not on the executive board.

The motion received the majority of support from the full council.

The town hall issue has not gone before scrutiny before.

They will present their findings to the executive board who will consider their report on October 13.

Cllr Simpson said at the meeting: "I think there are lessons to be learned on how this has been handled and improvements can be made on how we deal with property we own in the community."

In July, ELDC's executive board decided not to allow Horncastle Town Hall Working Group headed by Cllr Bill Aron to take over the management of the hall as a community facility.

They said the group failed to submit a robust business plan and opted for demolition and seek a development opportunity.

Councillors had tried to call-in the decision for it to be looked at again but was rejected.

The meeting now planned for October 13 will be the final chance for the hall's fate to be overturned.

Cllr Edward Mossop voted against further scrutiny.

He said: "We have had three tiers of local government involved in the democratic process. Horncastle Town Hall is surplus to this council's requirements."

Cllr Jeremy Webb reminded councillors the working group's business plan was looked at by independent consultants Focus.

He said: "The executive made a decision after years of talking. Scrutiny could have happened at any time, we got a decision, it was well made, now let's move forward."

Cllr Steve Newton, Horncastle ward member, supported the scrutiny motion.

He said: "The Focus report has no local knowledge behind it. The Horncastle Steering Group did not agree with it, we wanted the chance to see the town hall up and running again."

Bill Aron, chairman of the Town Hall Working group said they may have won this battle, but the war is certainly not over.

He said: "I was delighted at the way Cllr Simpson put the motion and the support it received from a party of councillors and I am sure that the people of Horncastle are grateful for their deliberations."

The working group are organising a coach for town hall supporters to hear the fate of the hall on October 13 at ELDC Headquarters at Tedder Hall, Manby.