COUNCIL bosses today played down suggestions that York's historic De Grey Rooms and the nearby St Leonard's Place office complex could be sold off.

A possible review of City of York Council's office accommodation may consider whether the De Grey Rooms and some St Leonard's Place offices could be sold when leases expire in 2005 and 2006, amid doubts over whether the buildings would meet requirements of next year's Disability Discrimination Act.

But a council spokeswoman said today the £100,000 needed to fund the review has yet to be approved.

Proposals to release the money from council reserves will be looked at by council leader Dave Merrett tonight, she said.

If the funding is approved, it would pay for external consultants to carry out a long-term review of the council's office needs.

The requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act, which includes requirements on local authorities to make improvements to disabled access where needed, are to be taken into account in the review.

But a council spokeswoman said today: "This is just a review and the money to fund it has not been approved yet."

Simon Wiles, the council's director of resources, said:

"The council wants to undertake an accommodation review in order to prepare for the fact that some leases run out in 2005/6.

"We need to plan for future accommodation needs and this is linked to the review of public access to the council, as part of our 'access to services' review.

"We must ensure citizens have the best access to the council and its services."

Updated: 12:21 Monday, January 13, 2003