A NORTH Yorkshire mayor has accused a district authority of failing to use "joined-up thinking" as it prepares for the local elections in May.

The Reeth Road Social Club, in Richmond, has been used as a polling station for a number of years - until Government guidelines indicated it may not fit the criteria.

Access for the disabled is now considered far from ideal and, as a result, Richmondshire District Council has announced the building will be removed from the list of locations where votes can be cast on Thursday, May 1.

The authority will pay for a mobile polling station at an alternative location instead.

However, Richmond's Mayor, Councillor Stuart Parsons, says a grant to help cover the cost of improvements at the club could be cheaper.

He said: "I have suggested it might be a good idea for Richmondshire District Council to contribute a similar amount to improve access to the social club, rather than spending money on hiring a temporary unit.

"This would represent a very real investment in the community, an investment in democracy and, instead of repeated charges for a mobile polling station, the district council would only make a one-off payment to ensure the building meets the legal requirements."

However, Richmondshire District Council's chief executive and returning officer, Harry Tabiner, said that even if a grant was possible, there could be no guarantee the social club would be ready in time for May 1.

He said: "My responsibility is to plan for the election to ensure it runs smoothly and that is why we have chosen to hire a mobile polling station.

"The Reeth Road Social Club is not the only location which we won't be using this year. We have drawn up a list of buildings which fail to meet the access guidelines.

"However, if it is to be considered for a grant, then it is the club's responsibility to apply. So far, no details have been sent.''