Pledge over HQ move plan

OPEN debate has been promised on the proposed relocation of Richmondshire District Council's headquarters. The authority is considering a move from Richmond to the new business park in Colburn, prompting concern within the community it would leave behind. However, councillors have agreed that meetings of a working group set up to thrash out the proposal should be open to the public, except when dealing with sensitive commercial issues.

COURT VOTE: Richmond-shire District Council is among organisations pressing for a rethink over the closure of a number of magistrates' courts in North Yorkshire. The court at Richmond has been earmarked for the axe in December. The council has voted to press North Yorkshire County Council to appeal against the move.

CASH BOOST: New notice boards will go up in Richmond's main public car park thanks to a grant from North Yorkshire County Council. The authority's Richmondshire area committee allocated £5,000 to projects in the town - and local councillors have agreed £1,000 should be spent on restoring and renewing the boards at Nun's Close. A further £1,000 has also been earmarked for the nearby rose garden and the same amount towards Richmond's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

ON THE AIR: A radio presenter goes back to his roots to head up a new breakfast show on a service broadcast to Army bases around the UK. Bob Watson got his first break on Forces radio during trials three years ago, and returns from Huddersfield's Home FM to host his own slot on Catterick-based Garrison Radio now that it has the full-time licence.

COBBLES PLAN: Cobbles and pavements in Richmond town centre are to be restored. North Yorkshire County Council has pledged at least £20,000 towards the project over the next few months following a meeting with Richmondshire District Council.

LIGHTS UP: Scarborough Borough Council is to spend £32,000 on providing street lights in the villages of Burniston, Hutton Buscel, Cloughton, Osgodby, West Ayton, and Folkton. But schemes for Cayton, Gristhorpe, Lebberston, Muston and Seamer have been shelved because of a cash shortage.

BACK TO PAST: A workshop looking at medieval coats of arms will be held at the Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, on Friday, March 15 for children aged eight to 14. Tickets for the free session, between 4pm and 5pm, are available from the museum. Numbers are limited.