Leader of Penarth Town Council Rhiannon Birch last night announced the Labour Group's intention to bid for the Kymin to keep the historic building in public hands.

Speaking in a Council meeting and responding to the public mood, Cllr Birch said the Town Council's business plan on the Kymin should be overhauled, and she called upon members of the two minority groups to support this plan. There were no dissenters.

Speaking to Nub News this morning, Cllr Birch said:

"I hope that Penarth residents will be reassured that Penarth Town Council will do its very best to ensure that this jewel in the Vale' s Crown is retained for the people of Penarth."

This comes after the Vale of Glamorgan Council (who own the building) announced the Kymin was "surplus to requirements" and advertised the building as a "long-lease opportunity".

Lis Burnett, Deputy Leader of the Vale, has rejected the notion that the building will the "sold-off to the highest bidder." Speaking to Nub News she said:

"We're fairly open-minded, but from our perspective it has to have benefits for the town. We're not flogging it off to anyone who wants a nice house and a nice garden, it's got to be a good fit."

Penarth Town Council is setting up a working group to examine the previous proposals for usage afresh, which will draw upon the skills of all members.

Overlooking the pier, the house and its gardens had been let to Penarth Town Council before returning to Vale Council control in April.

Various campaigns have been launched to keep the building in public hands.