A COUNCIL has agreed to spend £18,000 examining the future of a pool complex it had considered closing.

Starbeck Baths were in the firing line at the beginning of the year when Harrogate Borough Council was debating ways it could cut costs to keep a rise in council tax to a minimum.

A public outcry over the proposals secured the short-term future of the baths but now the Starbeck Baths Advisory Group has been set up by the council to examine all options.

The Starbeck Residents' Association and the Starbeck Baths Action Group attended a meeting of the advisory group and made presentations to reiterate their case.

They were assured the assessment of the pool will be among the most detailed the council has commissioned.

Harrogate Borough Council's cabinet member for resources Councillor Jim Clark said: "Unfortunately, this will mean we will have to close the pool for two weeks but it is essential we have a complete picture of the extent of the work so the advisory group can make an informed decision.

"We need to know the full extent of the problems."

The advisory group's next meeting is scheduled for next month, when a progress report will be on the table.