A CITY'S mayor has reacted with fury over plans to impose a big rise in fees to use its town hall.

Mayor of Ripon David Parnaby, a member of Ripon City Council, said under the new management scheme, the authority, which only has parish council status, would be charged £7,500 a year by Harrogate Borough Council for its office accommodation, mayor's parlour and town clerk's office. He said the current bill is about £2,000.

He said: "That is some increase and I think it is quite unreasonable."

The building is owned by Harrogate Borough Council but used as a permanent base by Ripon City Council.

Coun Parnaby said: "I think this is disgraceful that we will be charged as a city council for holding certain meetings in Ripon Town Hall.

"I am very angry about this and have arranged a meeting next week to express my concern."

The meeting will be held on Wednesday and will involve Harrogate council officials, as well as Ripon councillors Alan Skidmore and Stuart Martin, who are members of Harrogate Borough Council.

The borough council said management and operation of the town hall has been under discussion.

At the request of the city council, the borough council put forward a proposal for self-administration and management.

A letter from the council to Coun Parnaby said: "However, the city council did not proceed with this approach to the resource and financial commitment involved."

It added that Harrogate agreed there was a need to bring Ripon Town Hall under standard management arrangements and tenancy agreements.

The agreement is proposed to start as a trial on September 1.