PLANS to create a trust to run leisure services in the Richmondshire district are to come under public scrutiny for a second time.

The council hopes to hand over its leisure facilities to a trust this summer, but the scheme has met with a mixed response.

Some people believe the move will lead to better facilities because a trust could have access to funding denied to local authorities.

But opponents say the district, which earlier this year closed Richmond Sports Centre, is merely seeking to cut costs.

Only eight people attended a public meeting about the centre in Richmond in April, so a second one is to be held to give people another chance to air their views.

It will take place at Thornborough Hall in Leyburn, next Monday from 6.30pm until 8pm.

Many management options for the council's sports facilities have been considered. The district council's leisure contract manager, Iain Garth said a leisure trust would have several key advantages.

He said: "It would be removed from the finance rules that apply to local authorities and the proposed trust will also be able to have access to external funding sources and will be driven by community involvement."

The trust and the district council would consult annually, but little change would be expected in the first three years while the trust found its feet.