Richard Cooke, of Crowthers Hill, Dartmouth, writes:

In common with others who attended the Dartmouth Town Council meeting on August 6 in Townstal, I was disappointed by the standard of debate concerning the future of the Guildhall.

We were told that there had been several sub-committees that had considered the question previously, and were presented with conflicting accounts of the financial situation.

A majority vote – with abstentions – supported a motion seeking an outline proposal for alternative uses for the Guildhall to be put before the planning authorities.

As your letter columns tell, the Guildhall clearly finds a soft spot in the heart of many a true Dartmothian.

Cllr Hayley Rundle suggested that the electors of the town should be asked their opinion, and one suspects that most would support the retention of the hall.

The real question, however, is whether £20,000-£40,000 a year is a reasonable price to pay for this piece of Dartmouth heritage.

On what would the people of Dartmouth prefer this money to be spent? Some investment in refurbishment of the facility might yield dividends.

It is unlikely that alternative uses will be easily found.

Imaginative and creative thinking by our council could provide a potential way forward.