THERE was shock and disappointment in Crediton this evening, Thursday, after news emerged that Mid Devon District Council’s Conservative-controlled Cabinet had this afternoon decided to sell the Council Offices it owns in Market Street in the town to a commercial buyer.

Councillor Frank Letch, the Mayor of Crediton, who is also a Mid Devon District Councillor for Crediton (Liberal Democrat), spoke at the 2.15pm meeting to try to persuade the Cabinet members to sell the building to Crediton Town Council.

At its last meeting some months ago the Cabinet had turned down Crediton Town Council’s bid for the building and it was suggested that Crediton Town Council increased its bid.

DISAPPOINTED

The bid was increased but at today’s meeting the Cabinet decided to proceed with selling the building to a commercial buyer.

Speaking exclusively to the "Courier", Mr Letch said: "I am disappointed and concerned more for the groups that use the building, Crediton Hamlets Parish Council, Tiverton and Crediton Community Transport and Citizens’ Advice, who may see increased rents from the new owner.

"The result was that MDDC should proceed with the sale to bidder two, refusing bidder one and our bid.

"I think MDDC is going for the quick buck and running to the bank.

"There was a guarantee from the prospective buyer that the Town Council could continue to occupy an office there and use of the Council Chamber.

NO CONTROL

"However, I can see it might be difficult because the Town Council will not have ownership and be able to, say, make the Council Chamber available for a meeting by another group, if required, that would be at the permission of the new owner.

"It means we have no control, we don’t know how much it will cost etc.

"If this is the case Crediton Town Council could still have a home at the end of the day if it is the right buyer who gives us a fair rent.

"The Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee, Cllr Frank Rosamund, said that there should be more consideration for the people of the town rather than the financial aspect but the councillors, none of them from Crediton, still decided to vote for the money.

"I am sure it will help fund many more projects at Tiverton and the Three Rivers Company it owns."

Mr Letch concluded: "We will rise like a Phoenix from the Ashes and move onwards and upwards."

Many Kirtonians have said they were pessimistic about Mid Devon District Council’s intentions regarding the sale of the building from the length of time it has taken to make a decision about the building.

50 PER CENT OF VALUE

Mr Letch was attempting to persuade MDDC to sell the Crediton Council Office Building to Crediton Town Council on the same basis as the sale of Tiverton Town Hall to Tiverton Town Council, where precedent had already been set, which was 50 per cent of the buildings restricted value.

Mid Devon District Council previously advertised the Crediton Council Offices on the open market for a full asking price.

Previously Mr Letch said he had received support from some fellow Mid Devon District Councillors and from people in the Crediton community.

PETITION

A few months ago Mr Letch submitted a petition of almost 650 signatures of support for Crediton Town Council to purchase the Crediton Council offices at the 50 per cent rate.

Mr Letch praised Crediton resident Linda Jones, who launched the petition.

He said he submitted the petition electronically, which was then sent to all the councillors.

FLATS PLAN

MDDC last year advertised the sale of the Crediton Council Offices on the open market as suitable for conversion to three flats.

It currently rents the building to Crediton Town Council, Citizens’ Advice and Tiverton and District Community Transport.

Crediton Town Council has been in detailed discussions with Mid Devon District Council about the prospective purchase of the building since December.

The Town Council has had offices in the building since the early 1970’s, when MDDC acquired the building, and the town council currently leases the downstairs office.

Surgeries are also held at the offices for Citizens’ Advice, CHAT, the Churches Housing Advice Team and Insight, the charity which provides help and advice to people with sight loss.

The upstairs Council Chamber within the building is used for meetings and sub-committee meetings for both Crediton Town Council and Crediton Hamlets Parish Council. The room is also used for planning consultation exhibitions and for other town and district meetings.

A market value guide price of £250,000 was stated for the Grade II Listed office building, which was formerly Crediton’s Police Station.

MDDC withdrew its service from the building on April 1, 2016.

Andrew Jarrett, Director of Finance, Assets and Resources at Mid Devon District Council, told the “Courier” in November that: “The Cabinet will ultimately resolve which offer for the building is accepted.”