A DECISION to be made today (Wednesday) by Sedgemoor Dis-trict Council could be the deal-breaker on whether Burnham and Highbridge Town Council takes control of the Princess Hall.

The resort's venue has been under threat since the start of the year when the district council announced it was looking to offload the building from its books.

Until this week the news has only been trickling out, with the last announcement only stating the town council would be looking to lead a charitable trust to run the hall.

But later this week a decision will be made which could pave the way for a takeover next year.

At the district council's full meeting on Wednesday approval will be sought to make a grant of £75,000 available to Burnham and Highbridge Town Council.

The money will be used to help defray its costs in running the Princess for the first five years starting in October 2007.

In the report to be considered by the district council members two options are laid on the table, which would result in very different scenarios.

The first is that the district council does not support the proposed grant, in which case, the deal negotiated with Burnham and Highbridge Town Council will fall through.

A second option is that the council does support the proposal and detailed negotiations are undertaken to ensure transfer to Burnham and Highbridge Town Council as resolved by the executive on November 15.

The financial risk set out in the document clearly states that if the district council does not resolve the situation with regard to devolving the public halls then a situation will arise whereby their long-term financial sustainability cannot be assured. If this happens the council will not achieve its planned programme of savings.

The recommendation made by the report says that the council should set aside a reducing grant of £75,000, over five years - but this is yet to be approved.