The County Council had received Rishworth House at its creation and used it for committee rooms, offices and a residence for the Deputy Clerk.

[1] On the main staircase an owl and some scales represent meditation and justice, against which recline the two winged figures of debate and dictation.

[8] The contract for the building of the hall, with Messrs. Armitage and Hodgson of Leeds contained a fair wages clause and a ban on subcontracting to employees in sweated trades.

The City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council acquired the building in December 1987 and implemented a major refurbishment at a cost of over £3 million.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor John Pearman, unveiled a plaque to mark the acquisition of the building and its refurbishment in February 1991.