The Elizabeth Hall up for sale. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref exe 8775-19-12AW

Devon County Council has rejected calls from Exmouth councillors to come out in support of the Elizabeth Hall.

The hall is set to be demolished next year to make way for a Premier Inn, as part of East Devon District Council’s Exmouth Vision.

Councillors Eileen Wragg and Brenda Taylor put a motion to councillors in October, asking them to support the statement: “That this council adds its support, in principle, to that of Exmouth Town Council in supporting the Friends of Elizabeth Hall, Exmouth, in their efforts to acquire the Elizabeth Hall for community use.”

Having considered the motion, the council’s cabinet decided to reject it – a decision ratified by the full council last week – on the grounds that: “Acknowledging this is ultimately a matter for East Devon District Council to determine… it would be inappropriate to express a view, or intercede, in this matter one way or another.”

Responding to the decision, Cllr Wragg, whose Littleham and Town ward includes the Elizabeth Hall, said: “It is disappointing that the cabinet was unable to express its support for the local community, or to offer an appreciation in their brave attempt to retain what is Exmouth’s equivalent of a much-loved, well-used village hall. I did not ask for the county council to intercede.

“It is unfortunate that, in this instance, this county council thinks it inappropriate to support the ethos of Localism, which is increasingly being seen as an insignificant Act.”