SEVERE budget cuts have led West Devon Borough Council to axe its financial support for the Tourist Information Centres in both Tavistock and Okehampton.

Borough members last week 'reluctantly' decided to cease funding the centres from next year, in order to plug a £728,000 hole in the council's 2013/14 budget.

The council said that its actions would save around £50,000 a year and bring it in line with neighbouring authorities, where TICs are run by local businesses or communities.

West Devon is the main funder for the TICs with contributions from each of the town councils. Three full time members of staff are employed at the TICs in Court Gate, Tavistock and next to the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton, plus additional staff during the summer.

Cllr Robert Oxborough, the council's chair of community services, said: 'We have to make some very tough decisions about discretionary services in order to overcome a budget gap of £728,000 next year.

'Residents told us they want frontline services to be protected and we are one of the few local councils still funding Tourist Information Centres. 

'Our next step is to talk with businesses and residents about whether there is an alternative way to keep the centres running.'

The borough is appealing to businesses, community groups and residents to join discussions about the future of the Tourist Information Centres in Okehampton and Tavistock.

A borough spokesperson said it was too early to say whether the staff would be redeployed or made redundant, as this would depend on the response from the local business community and partners.

Tavistock Town Council this financial year supported the town's TIC by £2,500, while Okehampton Town Council backs its facility by £1,500.

Town clerk Carl Hearn said: 'Whilst the decision to withdraw funding from the Tavistock Tourist Information Centre is disappointing, the commitment of the borough council to working with stakeholders to explore innovative ways of continuing to deliver tourism services provides some reassurance.'

The Mayor of Okehampton, Cllr the Rev Mike Davies said: 'This news is very disappointing but I can appreciate West Devon have savings to make and they have to be made somewhere. The Tourist Information Centre is very important to Okehampton where a lot of businesses depend on tourism. The TIC here offers an excellent service advising people where to go and stay.

'The town council will need to time to reflect and see if we can help the TIC in some way to continue.'

County, borough and Okehampton town councillor Christine Marsh told the Times she hoped a solution would be found to keep the TICs open.

She said: 'Harsh decisions had to be made by West Devon, but the bottom line is the TIC is an important service. Even in this electronic communication age, not everyone has access to iphones and ipads. Tourists want to be able to speak to people who know the area and a place to pick up a leaflet.'

Nigel Eadie, chairman of Tavistock Chamber of Commerce, said: 'If it does go as a facility it will be a significant loss. The TIC is very well used and offers a tremendous service. I'm sure when people go in there and talk to the staff, with their knowledge of the area of places to go and stay, it makes a difference. Those visitors, having enjoyed their stay, will then tell others and say what a wonderful place Tavistock is to visit.'

Mr Eadie hoped business people in the area would work with the borough and town councils to find a way to preserve the TIC.

'TICS all around the country are funded in different ways. Hopefully we can collaborate to find a way to keep the TIC going in some form.'

Anyone interested in the issue should call the council's economy team on 01822 813700.