BUREAUCRACY could derail efforts to transfer a piece of the region’s railway heritage into community hands, a senior councillor has warned.

Darlington Borough Council announced this week that it would not have money in its budget for the town’s Head of Steam museum after 2016, if the proposed medium term financial plan is approved.

That leaves two years, from when the final budget comes into effect next spring, for the council to agree a solution that would secure the future of the museum, as well as that of Cockerton Library, which finds itself in the same position.

Councillor Heather Scott, leader of the opposing Conservative group at the town hall, is optimistic that a solution can be found to save the museum – as long as red-tape is kept to a minimum.

She said: “It is going to be a very difficult time and, as a council, we have got to do our best to retain our statutory services.

“We have got to encourage community groups to do a lot more and I think there is a willingness to do that, as long as the local authority doesn’t make it impossible for people to run some of these organisations.”

Coun Scott said ‘bureaucratic nonsense’ surrounding any community takeover – such as problems caused by transferring employees’ terms and conditions – should be kept to a minimum if any transfer is to go smoothly.

She added: “There are two main things – keeping people in work and not giving out a negative message, because we are trying to attract companies into Darlington.”

Meanwhile, one of Darlington’s most well-established community groups has pledged its advice and support to anyone that comes forward to run the museum.

Darlington for Culture was set up in 2010 and fought for the future of the town’s arts centre, which closed last year.

The group continues to thrive in various smaller venues and it runs a successful annual arts festival in the town.

Chairman John Dean said the impetus for saving the museum had to come from people passionate about railways.

He said: “We have learnt a lot about community organisations and would be more than happy to give whatever support we can to make sure vital facilities like the Head of Steam and Cockerton Library continue to operate, because they are absolutely crucial.”