Control of Ripon town hall, toilets and market square given to local leaders

The Wakeman's House in Ripon dates back to the 17th Century, according to Historic England

Control of a North Yorkshire city's public toilets, town hall and market square has been handed back to local leaders by the county's council.

Ripon City Council will also take over management of the historic Wakeman's House under the deal.

North Yorkshire Council gave town councils an opportunity to bid to manage properties on its behalf.

Ripon council leader Andrew Williams said confirmation of the move meant it was a "historic day" for the city.

The properties, previously managed by Harrogate Borough Council, came under North Yorkshire Council's control when the county's district councils were dismantled and merged into one local authority as part of a devolution deal.

Mr Williams claimed the area had previously been neglected and was "currently underachieving its potential," according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He said the market place had "more grass growing on it than the centre court of Wimbledon" and criticised the defunct Harrogate Borough Council for closing public toilets in the evening during civic events such as the city's historical horn-blowing ceremony.

Ripon City Council is set to take over management of the sites by April.