A GOVERNMENT inquiry has been demanded into Richmondshire District Council's management of its assets in Richmond.

And a public meeting passed a vote of no confidence in the authority after residents said it failed to consult them properly.

At a special meeting of the town council on Wednesday, Coun Mike McGarry accused the authority of turning Richmond into a ghost town. He led calls for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to intervene.

The district council is considering selling land and property in the town to fund its proposed move to £4m purpose-built headquarters at Colburn.

Coun Stuart Parsons, who led the formation of a trust last year to buy an initial batch of open land offered by the district, said: "Richmondshire District Council is asset-stripping Richmond to fund Colburn." Members pledged to go all the way to a judicial review if necessary to protect the town.

Land currently under review was outlined at a later public meeting, when about 150 people were urged to write to the district council by March 31.

Included are the Station Road and York Square car parks, which a special meeting of the district council's resources committee was last night recommended to sell for housing.

Traders fear the sale of many areas, particularly car parks, would hit business and tourism and say Richmond has borne more than its fair share of cuts.

"If they came up with plans to make some of the cuts in Leyburn and Hawes as well, then people might find it more acceptable," said Coun Parsons.

The council refuted the claims, saying it had invested heavily in Richmond in the last five years.

Tony Clark, deputy chief executive, said projects supported included improvements to Greyfriars tower, Friary Gardens, the obelisk, postern gates, pedestrianisation, lighting, a new play area and wall at the Fosse, toilets in Ronaldshay Park and £90,000 towards a town centre manager's post.

Castle Walk, disabled access and the Georgian Theatre had all been aided and the council, which had created £1.4m of workspace on Gallowfields trading estate and a community office in Dundas Street.

"The Government told us, and all other local authorities, to produce an asset management plan and look to explore how our assets can be better used to deliver core services," said Mr Clark. "That is what we have been doing over the last three or four years."

The Audit Commission said 18 months ago that outdated office accommodation was holding back the council. The proposed move to Colburn in 2007 is expected to cost £4m.

Harry Tabiner, council chief executive, said: "If the council remained in Richmond it would have to spend a lot more to refurbish the existing outdated buildings."

* See 'Closure-threat car parks': page