ADVERTISING and marketing of Tavistock Town Hall, the pannier market and other town publicity is to be put into the hands of a professional agency for a year's trial run.
Last week town councillors heard that the best value scrutiny group recommended the move could bring better results for the council's £16,000 a year budget.
Cllr Marjorie Corner said she liked the idea of using a professional agency but worried the council was being 'premature' in making such a decision now.
And mayor of Tavistock Cllr Norma Woodcock felt perhaps the town hall advertising could be handled professionally, with the council keeping some of the budget back.
She said Tavistock Forward's Towns Alive programme may bring changes to the town and it would be wise not to put 'all our money in one basket'.
Cllr Roger Mathew felt there was 'some merit' in using a professional advertising agency for a year on a trial basis.
'My worry is how you monitor whether the money is well spent,' he said.
But Cllr Roy Connolly felt using an agency was much the best option.
He said: '£16,000 is a lot of money — are we getting value for money now? I believe professional people could spend that a lot better. There is accountability, in that they have to prove the effectiveness of how they are spending it.'
And Cllr David Stapleton said it made sense to centralise marketing and take advantage of economies of scale.
Members agreed the scrutiny group's recommendations and will investigate potential advertising companies further.