A REQUEST to refurbish premises in Tavistock's Court Gate was last week given the thumbs down during a meeting in the town.

Tavistock Town Council's finance committee heard that the Old Folk's Rest Room management had asked for a grant of up to £7,000 to help with building changes, including a disabled toilet and kitchen.

The rest room committee has urged the council to act swiftly regarding the move to new premises at Court Gate, and has been awaiting a decision on its rent.

Councillors heard a commercial rental of up to £5,400 could be charged for the archway building, and were reminded that council policy was to charge market rental and if appropriate, give a grant to offset the rent.

Members were told two other organisations had expressed their interest in the building — the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and West Devon Borough Council — as a visitor orientation centre/tourist information centre.

Cllr David Whitcomb felt the matter was two-edged.

He said: 'I seriously think we need to look after the old folks as they have had a rough time recently, but this is also a heritage town and we need to fly the flag for tourism.'

Cllr Ian Jennings said: 'We should look after our old people and they did have their feet first in the door for the building.'

The council decided to write to both organisations to inform them the building was earmarked for the rest room.

Having noted the suggestions about the rental and lease provisions, members voted six to one that a market rental of £5,400 a year be charged, with a lease of six years and a three-year rent review.

An insurance contribution of £100 a year would be charged and the tenant would be responsible for internal repairs and decoration.

They agred no grant should be paid for building works, after members felt the change to be 'gold plating' the facility.

Cllr Michael Harper suggested a grant of £1,900 be made to the rest room committee towards rent, which was agreed by the committee.

A proposal by Cllr Ted Sherrell to increase the grant to £3,000, made at last week's full council meeting, was backed by Cllr Jenny Metcalf, who said it would be 'cheese-paring' only to award £1,900.

But Cllr Brian Trew disagreed.

He said: 'It would be improper for us to spend ratepayers' money to assist an organisation that has the money already to complete this project.

'We are not dealing with the council's money, we are dealing with ratepayers' money.

'There may be old people who don't use the rest room who find it difficult paying their rates, and young people who have difficulty in paying their rates.

'I can't think of any other group who would receive a grant, given their accounts.'

Cllr Sherrell's proposal was rejected and the grant of £1,900 was agreed.

Yvonne Meneer, chairman of the Old Folk's Rest Room committee, said a meeting was due to be held this week following the rest room's annual meeting, at which the committee members woud consider the council's decision regarding the rent of the Court Gate premises and its refurbishment.