ALEX Wood (Times, March 22) is correct in highlighting the fact that running Tavistock's elegant town hall in a cost-effective way is one of the greatest challenges facing the town council. However, in seeking efficiency savings for the benefit of Tavistock ratepayers we need to take a wider view of the town council's property portfolio than can be provided by the recent 'Best Value' review of the town hall.
In July of last year, aided by helpful comments from several fellow councillors, I wrote a review of the current uses of the major town council properties and made suggestions as to how they might be used more cost-effectively. This document stimulated discussion and further ideas were generated by councillors and council staff.
The council has accepted one of our key review recommendations, the sale of the Drake Road offices. If successful, this will save Tavistock's ratepayers over £200,000 in refurbishment costs needed to meet current public building fire and disabled access standards, plus the recurrent running costs.
Of course, we will need to find another venue within our property portfolio for our own activities, and would seek to ensure that the needs of our tenants in the buildings involved are also catered for.
It is likely that the town hall will be one of the buildings utilised in this reorganisation, increasing its cost-effectiveness. But Mr. Wood can help us further by spreading the word about the excellent facilities offered by our beautiful town hall for weddings, meetings, exhibitions, dances, shows and many other activities.
Cllr Peter Donkin
9 Chestnut Close
Bishopsmead