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

The local council hopes to transfer its leisure facilities - Richmond swimming pool and dual-use sports provision at the schools - to a trust shortly.

So far, the scheme has met with a mixed response from residents and organisations in the area.

Some say the move will lead to better facilities, because a trust could have access to funding sources denied to local authorities.

But opponents say the authority, which earlier this year closed Richmond Sports Centre in spite of public opposition, is merely seeking to cut costs.

Only eight people attended a public meeting on the issue in Richmond in April, leading to some claims that the event had not been properly publicised.

A second public meeting is to be held to give people a chance to discuss the possibility of creating the charitable leisure trust, which is proposed to start operating later in the year.

It will take place in Leyburn, at Thornborough Hall, on July 12, from 6.30pm to 8pm, and as many people as possible are being encouraged to attend.

The district council wants to create the trust, which would be a non-profit-making organisation, in the hope of providing a strong focus on promoting sport and recreation in the area.

Members have already considered several future management options for the council's sports facilities.

The authority's leisure contract manager, Iain Garth, said a leisure trust would have several advantages.

"A leisure trust would really benefit the whole community," 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 be in annual consultation, but little change would be expected in the first three years, as the trust established itself.