Exclusive by Alan Quick

MID Devon District Council (MDDC) is to re-consider a decision made by its Cabinet on Thursday, September 28 to sell the Council Offices building in Crediton.

Following representations from Crediton Town Council, which has been offered to purchase the building at full market value, MDDC will now discuss the decision at its Scrutiny Committee on Monday, October 9.

Crediton Town Clerk, Mrs Clare Dalley, has written to Stephen Walford, MDDC chief executive, asking for a meeting with MDDC Cabinet members and to express the views of Crediton Town Council.

SEVERE AND FAR REACHING EFFECT

She wrote: “Members of Crediton Town Council would like urgently to request a meeting with Mid Devon District Council’s Cabinet to discuss the recent decision it made regarding the Crediton Council Office Building.

“The implications of its decision on the Crediton community and its surrounding areas, and in excess of nine voluntary groups/organisations, each providing services to all sections of the community are severe and far reaching.

“Therefore, my members would like to gain an understanding of the decision, including how and why it was arrived at.

“We understand all Council budgets are being placed under pressure and services are being lost.  However,  this requires more than ever Councils at all levels to co-operate to do the best they can to reduce the impact on communities and their surrounding areas. 

“We hope this co-operative approach will be welcomed by your Cabinet members.   Perhaps you could suggest some dates and times over the next two weeks that will be convenient for them.”

DECISION CALLED-IN

In response, Mr Walford has replied: “This decision is now the subject of a scrutiny call-in. Details available on our website, but the terms of the call-in are:

“1 To consider whether, how and why the proposed outcome for the future of the Crediton Office changed in 2017 and whether such change was justified on the evidence and information available

“2 To consider why the basis for the disposal of the Crediton Office differed from that made for the disposal of Tiverton Town Hall

“3 To understand what consultation has taken place with interested parties prior to the decision and the outcome of such consultation

"4 To look at the options put forward to Cabinet, to examine the equality impact of such options and then to consider whether there were reasonable alternative options that were not considered

“Therefore, in terms of your members ’gaining an understanding of the decision, including how and why it was arrived at’, this scrutiny session should provide that context and I would encourage you to attend if at all possible.”

FULL MARKET COST?

It has been questioned why Tiverton Town Council was able to purchase its building at half the market value and in installments, and asked why Crediton could not do the same when it is being asked to pay the full cost with no offer of instalments.

Andrew Jarrett, director of finance, assets and resources at Mid Devon District Council, stated: “The costs/incomes shown against the Tiverton TC building for 2016/17 reflect a financial impairment of £175k (this is an accounting transaction which represents the difference between the market valuation of £350k less the agreed purchase price of £175k).

“In addition to this the District Council spent £23k on maintenance and a structural survey prior to the buildings disposal and had already spent £11.3k on an internal toilet refurbishment, earlier in the year.

“All of the above financial information is in the public domain – as it was in the PDG (Policy Development Group) report.

“For further information - the District Council agreed that the purchase price of £175k could be paid in six annual instalments. Our Legal team is still in the process of completing this transaction – so currently the first instalment is not yet due.”

Mr Jarrett said he was happy to discuss any of this information in more detail if required.Mr Frank Letch, chairman of Crediton Town Council and the Mayor of Crediton, who is also a district councillor for Crediton, said that Tiverton Town Council was originally asked to pay a higher price of £420K, adding that it was he who asked for the Crediton decision to be called in by the Scrutiny Committee.

PERPLEXED AT DECISION

Mrs Dalley said that Crediton Town Council wanted to continue with constructive negotiations with Mid Devon District Council with regard to its plan to sell the Crediton Council Offices.

She added: “I am perplexed as to why and how Mid Devon District Council policy has changed with regard to the building.

“I am also interested to hear how Tiverton Town Council was able to purchase at half the market value but Crediton Town Council is being asked to pay the full market value.”

If Crediton Town Council is unable to find sufficient funds to purchase the Crediton Council Offices, it is believed that the Town Council and others (Citizens Advice and Crediton and District Community Transport) will have to find alternative premises from which to operate.

COMMUNITY ASSET

However, in July of this year, Mrs Dalley, on behalf of Crediton Town Council, registered the Crediton Council Offices as an Asset of Community Value Community Right to Buy.

At the time she stated that the building houses high quality public services, information and signposting, community meetings and provides access to support services and associated facilities which enable and enhance the quality of life and life chances of those living in Crediton and its rural hinterland.

She wrote: “The building has provided public services for in excess of 40 years when it was acquired by MDDC in the early 1970’s.

“Crediton Town Council has been based in the building since the 1970’s.

“Although the District Council withdrew its service on April 1, 2016, the building continues to be a hub for community and public services. These services are valued and much-needed.

“The Town Council recently commissioned Devon Communities Together to undertake a feasibility study regarding the building and its use. This concluded there is substantive evidence regarding the value of the Council Office building remaining a community hub and its contribution to the reduction of negative impacts of rural isolation and its positive contribution towards social, educational, health and well-being of the local community.”

After April 2016, for just over a year, MDDC ran an occasional surgery service for the benefit of the Crediton community.

Only recently Mid Devon District Councillors rejected a proposal to re-instate the surgery service it offered at the Crediton Council Offices.

Cllr Frank Letch had proposed that a monthly service be re-instated at Crediton and Cullompton but the plan failed to receive backing from district councillors.

• What do you think of Mid Devon District Council’s proposal, now on hold, to sell Crediton’s Council Offices?

Share your views with fellow “Courier” readers. Write a letter, suitable for publication, with your name, address and a daytime telephone number (not necessarily for publication) to: The Editorial Manager, “Crediton Courier”, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF.

Alternatively, email your letter, with the required information, to: [email protected] .