Oakham's under-threat historic hall may have to be taken over by a town council to survive. 

Papers to be discussed by Oakham Town Council (OTC) this week say that the only way for the authority to go into an agreement with Victoria Hall is for it to become a 'controlling trustee', meaning that it has a final say on matters. 

The hall in Oakham's High Street has been struggling for many months and this autumn was given a £3,000 emergency grant by the council so that it could continue to pay its bills. 

The town council agreed last month to set aside a further £3,000 for any possible legal bills that could arise out of an agreement and at Wednesday's meeting (January 8) it is also recommended the council should pay more than £2,500 for a survey on the building's condition. The hall is more than 100 years old and needs a new heating system. 

The council's chairman Cllr Paul Ainsley and Cllr Sally Wadsworth had a meeting with the hall's chairman of trustees Tom Tyler and fellow trustee Joanne Burrows before Christmas. 

Minutes from the meeting say: "Our current understanding is that for us to protect the reputation of Oakham Town Council and any financial investment, the council as a body will need to become a controlling trustee. We are not aware of any other mechanism." 

The steps to becoming a controlling trustee include the council reviewing the governing document of the charity, negotiating with trustees, drawing up a legal agreement and the existing trustees then voting the council onto the charity's board. 

There is also a strong likelihood that as part of the new deal the parish council will move out of its headquarter at Rol House in Long Row, Oakham and back into Victoria Hall, which it vacated several years ago.  

Victoria Hall's trustees have been approached for comment.