THE future of Fulford Social Hall, York, will be decided today as villagers go to the polls.

The parish council has opted to ask villagers to vote on what to do with the hall after widespread division over the issue.

The council had agreed in principle to sell off the building to help fund a public private finance (PFI) bid to rebuild St Oswald's Primary School, but this caused controversy among members.

Last night villagers packed into the hall for a public meeting to hear the options before them.

At today's poll they will have the choice of getting rid of the hall to put money into the PFI bid, keeping the hall and renovating it, or selling it off and using facilities provided in the new Germany Beck development.

Presentations were given about each option and villagers were then able to ask questions.

Coun Helen Adcock told the meeting the facility had lost more than £7,000 over the last three years and it would cost about £97,000 to renovate - but with grants it would be achievable.

Coun Peter Barton spoke about selling the hall to help fund the PFI bid which would mean the community facilities would be provided in the school.

Many residents were strongly against getting rid of the hall.

Margaret Brooke, of Fulford Townswomen's Guild, said the social hall was a valuable facility which was used by the group each month. She said: "It keeps a lot of elderly people in Fulford active and we do an awful lot for charity."

She said if community facilities were within the school the group would not be able to meet in the afternoon which they needed to.

John Haywood said the basic cost of an emergency programme of work, providing disabled access and getting the hall up to relevant health and safety standards would only cost just over £30,000.

Voting was taking place at the hall from 4pm until 9pm.

Updated: 10:58 Thursday, May 15, 2003