ALAN PYNE, past president of Old Dartmothians Association. past trustee of Dartmouth Charities/Dartmouth Trust, writes:

As a means of making a positive contribution to this vital debate about the future of Dartmouth Guildhall, may I put forward another possible option for due consideration.

Given the urgent, immediate problem of the Guildhall affecting the long term benefits to the townspeople it is evident that the town council does not have the reserves or resources to hold and maintain all its property portfolio since its loss of status in 1974.

What will happen if no viable long-term solution can be found? Will this mean a property developer or ultimately South Hams Council takes over the asset? Either way the loss and control will pass out of the town.

Looking at the town's major properties; the Guildhall, the Market, the Butterwalk, and yes, the Southford School Rooms, still Church owned I believe. Who can cater for and facilitate an important playgroup for Dartmouth young families, while being a base for the Dartmouth Players drama group? Dartmothians would be amazed and horrified to see these removed from the town's control by outside interests.

In 1890, a scheme was set up to take over and manage a number of the town council and Church properties in the town. It was for years known as the Dartmouth Charities, now its known as the Dartmouth Trust. The trust has the organisation and resources together with the 'wherewithal' to add 'as and when' property from both town council and the Church to its existing property portfolio.

This would keep, maintain, control, these properties in the town for the well being of the town and its future generations to come.

The trust could then simply provide a long guaranteed, renewable lease to the council for the Guildhall or just the council chamber and attached offices if deemed necessary.

A caveat should be added that 'the trust must fulfil its financial obligations to its beneficiaries and, at the same time act within the spirit of the original scheme' (as was followed by the Dartmouth Trustees) that all property be held for the benefit of the town and its people, with all property kept fully occupied, both on a residential and commercial basis via reasonable, sustainable rentals.

It would be all too easy for the Dartmouth Trust to become a glorified property investment fund extracting unrealistic maximum returns for short-term gains.

In conclusion - the town council has a means of saving, but off-loading an asset they cannot afford.

The Dartmouth Trust retrieves its image and reputation in the town.