A COUNCIL has had a change of heart and reversed its decision to cut back on financial support for Tavistock Museum Charitable Trust.

In June this year, West Devon Borough Council cut business rate relief for local heritage charities, including Tavistock Museum.

Heritage organisations, as charities, received 80% rate relief, with the remaining 20% at the discretion of the local authority, but the borough council asked Tavistock Museum to pay 10% themselves, which would have cost the organisation hundreds of pounds.

But following an appeal by the museum, the borough council has restored it’s full 20% discretionary grant for the financial year 2017 to 2018.

Roderick Martin, manager of the museum, said that had this not happened, the museum — a free-entry town museum run by volunteers — would have had to pay nearly £600 in rates on its premises at Court Gate.

‘This is a very welcome outcome as our museum has to be run within a very tight budget,’ he said.

‘It was a bit upsetting earlier this year to find our grant had been reduced and some of our income would be needed to pay rates, especially as our museum makes a very positive contribution to the local economy and promotes local tourism.

‘Hopefully, restoration of the full grant to us this year by West Devon Borough Council will prove a landmark decision and serve as a future policy guide to district councils throughout Devon.

‘Museums and heritage attractions not only conserve our local heritage but are now often in the front line of local tourism, providing an invaluable stand-in tourist information service at a time when local authorities can no longer afford to do so.’

The trust expressed thanks to West Devon Borough councillors, especially Debo Sellis and Jeff Moody, and to West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox for his interest and support.

Cllr Sellis: ‘I am glad that West Devon Borough Council has seen sense because so many people use the museum for tourist information and advice. Plus the volunteers there do brilliant work — they are enthusiastic and they don’t expect anything and they give so much to the community.’

Cllr Moody said: ‘As West Devon mayor I am absolutely delighted that the borough council has been able to support the museum for another year.’

West Devon MP Geoffrey Cox, who helped in the campaign, said: ‘I am delighted to have assisted Tavistock Museum secure funding for the important work they do in my constituency.

‘By preserving our local heritage the volunteers who work in the museum serve a vital purpose within our community, especially for our future generations.

‘Last year alone Tavistock Museum attracted almost 9,000 visitors so I am proud to have played a part in securing the future of this monumental local attraction for the benefit of my constituents and tourists who want to experience our unique locality. ‘

West Devon Borough Council leader Philip Sanders said: ‘The additional 20 per cent relief on business rates is something that is at the discretion of the individual local authority.

‘Additionally it was deemed that the two museums were not eligible for the full rebate. However, following an appeal by the organisations and the presentation to us of additional material we have responded positively to the appeal and restored the rebate for this year.’

The Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton was also successful in its appeal to the borough council.