TAVISTOCK Car Club is to be granted a space in Tavistock's Guildhall Car Park at a cost of £30 a month, following a decision by Tavistock Town Council's properties committee last week.

Mayor Cllr Anne Johnson told the committee that the club, which offers use of its car to members on a short-term basis, had asked the council for free parking for a six-month period in the car park — which would equate to support in the region of arond £720.

The 'green' scheme was in its infancy and organisers hoped the prominent position in the car park for a further period of time would help raise its profile, ultimately benefitting those who could not afford to own a car.

Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'I would support this; it's a very good scheme. In these more stringent times there are benefits in every sense, certainly environmentally.'

Cllr John Sellis said he did not believe the club had many members and was opposed to supporting it to the tune of some £120 a month.

Cllr Brian Trew said he supported the scheme and he understood it took a long time to get such an operation 'off the ground' — but he recommended the club come back to the council after six months with feedback as to how much usage had increased and what benefit there had been to the community.

Cllr John Sheldon suggested that instead of providing the space for free, the car club should pay £30 a month plus VAT as there was a commercial side to the club.

Cllr Ted Sherrell agreed the amendment and the committee backed Cllr Sheldon's proposal.