RESIDENTS should be given a referendum say over the future of Dartmouth's £40,000 a year loss-making Guildhall, one leading town councillor has declared.

The town council, which owns the building, has spent years talking about whether to sell off the rambling old listed building and moving to a new HQ.

Councillors could finally make their minds up for good on Monday when they hold their monthly council meeting – which will be going ahead at Townstal Community Hall instead of in the usual Guildhall venue.

But Cllr Dave Cawley – who is openly against any moves to sell off the council's Victoria Road HQ – has condemned plans to hold the meeting this month when he fears many councillors will be away on holiday.

He also attacked the decision to hold the meeting at Townstal instead of in the very building they will be discussing.

'I believe that Dartmouth should have a say on this. It should be put to the people of Dartmouth in a referendum,' he said.

'I believe the majority of people in Dartmouth would say they would like to see us make the Guildhall more efficient rather than waiting for it to fall down and that they would like us to keep it.'

Meanwhile, veteran Cllr Francis Hawke said he wants to see the Guildhall sold and town council team up with other organisations for the 'one stop shop' new HQ.

'I am hoping the council agrees the building is no longer fit for purpose, is surplus to requirements and we could do far better for the community at large by working with others, whether that means a new office in Townstal or somewhere else in the town,' he said.

'It is draining too many resources from the town.'

The Guildhall now needs up to £80,000 worth of work carried out on it to bring it up to scratch.

In the course of the latest debate, councillors have asked estate agents what they think they could get for the building if they sell it.

And they have been talking to architects about what work could be done to the listed building and what it is likely to cost.

A special report containing those details will be going before the councillors as they debate the future of the building on Monday.

The Guildhall contains the town' council chamber, meeting rooms and a ballroom.

It houses some of the town's historic treasures, including various paintings.

Its future has divided the council, with some councillors anxious to see it gone while other feel it should remain as part of the town council's portfolio of property – which includes the Butterwalk, the Boatfloat and the town centre market.

Cllr Cawley said: 'I think it is the wrong venue for the meeting and the wrong timing when there will be the least amount of councillors present because of the summer holidays.

'It is the wrong venue because while we are discussing our heritage building it will be done in a new building well away from it.

'The Guildhall is a central resource for the people of Dartmouth and the people of Dartmouth should have a say.'

But Cllr Hawke warned the town could be faced with the choice of getting a new swimming pool or selling the Guildhall.

He rejected any call for a referendum and said: 'The town council, for all its faults, has been given the custody of the Guildhall. We now have to make a decision on its future. I don't see the point of having a referendum. If the people don't like the decision that is made by the councillors they will kick them out at the next election. That is what democracy is all about.

'It will be a tough decision on Monday night but it has to be made for the good of the community.'

Also up for debate at Monday's meeting will be the multi-million pound development proposals for the land stretching from the park and ride to Venn Lane, Dartmouth where Millwood Homes developers are putting together a masterplan for hundreds of new homes.

The town councillors plan to debate what they would like to see forming the community hub which is being planned as part of the 80-acre development scheme involving home and work units.

Proposals include shops, possibly a doctor's surgery and other social facilities.

The meeting begins at 7pm and will also include discussions about 'retrospective' grant of £2,000 to the tourist information centre.