Exmouth Town Council is celebrating the achievement of its long-standing ambition to run the Town Hall, providing a community hub for residents, businesses, and local groups going forwards.
Recognising a change to their requirements, East Devon District Council (EDDC) has worked collaboratively with Exmouth Town Council to explore ways to repurpose the building for the benefit of the community. The building will be sold to the Town Council and with an orderly move of staff out of the building enabling a more public facing future for the Town Hall.
District Council customers will continue to be able to access services from the Town Hall with a dedicated free telephone line to connect to the most appropriate team, creating a more responsive and direct route to the services they need. Pre- arranged in-person appointments will still be available across the district.
As East Devon’s largest town, a flexible space that can be booked for a range of meetings and events for community-oriented groups, has been a key goal for residents. The Town Hall’s central location, and its use for Town Council meetings, also make it a natural home for resident engagement, whether that is through consultations, drop-in events, or partnership work.
Councillor Graham Deasy, Mayor of Exmouth, and Town Councillor for Littleham, said:
“I am very pleased to say that the return of the Town Hall to local ownership fulfils the wishes expressed by an overwhelming majority of our residents in the Neighbourhood Plan.
The Town Hall is far more than bricks and mortar. Located in the heart of Exmouth, it gives us a focal point and a symbol of our shared identity. By bringing it back under the stewardship of Exmouth Town Council, we are safeguarding an important civic building, while strengthening our ability to deliver services and support community activities.
I extend my thanks to the officers of East Devon District Council, our Town Clerk Lisa Bowman, and all District and Town Councillors whose cooperation will make this possible. This is a positive outcome for all parties.
At a time when the future of local government remains uncertain, this investment ensures a secure and welcoming home for community groups and organisations, and will provide a town centre venue for meetings and events that serve our residents.”
Councillor Paul Hayward, EDDC’s Portfolio Holder for Assets and Economy, said: “I’d like to congratulate Exmouth Town Council, and I look forward to seeing how they enhance this important community space. Encouraging people to visit and use their Town Hall, will help support businesses, with increased footfall in the town-centre all year round. These economic benefits are one of the key objectives in our Placemaking Plan.”
