The Story So Far…

A brief re-cap of the key events in the timeline leading up the the Community Asset Transfer of Burnby Hall to Pocklington Town Council

15th July 2024

The Charity Commission approved the application to establish POCKLINGTON COMMUNITY TRUST as a charity and entered it onto the Register of Charities with the Registered Charity Number 1209112. The Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) will manage Burnby Hall and the Community Hall.

16th April 2024

East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Cabinet has today (16 April 2024) agreed to offer a 125-year lease of Burnby Hall in Pocklington to Pocklington Town Council at a peppercorn rent.
Councillor Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “I am delighted that we have today agreed this transfer of a much-loved feature of Pocklington to Pocklington Town Council. This will be an excellent solution to secure the future of Burnby Hall and opens up some wonderful possibilities for its future use, and for the local community.”

3rd January 2024

Pocklington Town Council at a Full Council Meeting agreed unanimously to submit the completed Burnby Hall Project Business Plan to East Riding Council. The business plan is viewable at https://www.pocklington.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/BH-Business-Plan-V3.02Final.pdf

November 2023

Pocklington Town Council (PTC) conducted an online survey during November to gauge public sentiment and suggest likely uses of Burnby Hall and the Community Hall when acquired by PTC. In summary, the results of the online survey showed that of the 1,110 respondents, 1,003 (91%) strongly agreed to the question “Do you wish to see Burnby Hall, and the adjoining Community Hall saved by the Town Council and expanded into a much-needed community resource”. Only 20 individuals either disagreed or strongly disagreed.

Other key takeaways from the survey included:
• 235 respondents were interested in using office space within the proposed facility
• 368 people expressed an interest in becoming a volunteer to support the project
• 283 respondents were prepared to pledge a donation or become a corporate sponsor

8th August 2023

A public meeting was convened to outline to the community the desire of Pocklington Town Council (PTC) to take up the ownership of Burnby Hall from East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC). The meeting was attended by over 200 residents. The residents unanimously supported the Town Council’s proposal to transfer the ownership of the building to PTC. Following the meeting 30+ volunteers with relevant experience and expertise were recruited to assist PTC in the business plan preparation, and if the Community Asset Transfer, assist in the future development and operation of the Burnby Hall project.