Plans for Port Royal > "Community value counts as well as financial. Selling simply to the highest bidder is unlikely to be best for the town - and achieving ‘best value’ can done with a combination of factors."

There is still huge uncertainty over the marketing of the Drill Hall:
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal > sales details are still not available for the marketing of the Drill Hall

This statement from a Sidmouth District Councillor has just been issued: 

Statement from Cllr Cathy Gardner, EDDC Sidmouth Town

“The calm before the storm at Port Royal?

In the next few weeks there are likely to be a range of articles and letters about the forthcoming sale of the Drill Hall (Sidmouth Herald 290618 p4). As one of the 3 District Councillors for the area I shall be asking questions of EDDC and relaying information on as much as I can. My aim is to ensure the whole process is as transparent as possible and that all potential bidders are treated equally. I also want the criteria that are going to be used to select the successful bidder to be made available to all. Only by knowing how the process works and how each bid is to be judged, can we be reassured that the process is fair for Sidmouth and not biased in favour of EDDC. Also, that it is as fair to a community bidder as a commercial one; to a small business or a large conglomerate.

EDDC have previously said, as this is a public asset, that community value counts as well as financial. Selling simply to the highest bidder is unlikely to be best for the town and achieving ‘best value’ can done with a combination of factors. 

I have set out some potential criteria for the selection of a purchaser/leaseholder for the Drill Hall:

1. How well does the proposal match the needs of the town?

a. Is the proposal supported by Neighbourhood Plan feedback?

b. How does the proposal complement rather than compete with existing businesses in the town?

c. Is the proposal beneficial to residents and visitors of all ages?

d. Is there a link to the town's history and character?

e. Are any proposed changes sensitive to the conservation area and the heritage coast and do they enhance them?

2. Will locally-sourced produce be used?

3. Will the business use Fair Trade products? (Sidmouth is a Fair Trade Town)

4. Is the use of disposable plastic going to be limited and will potential littering be addressed?

5. Is there a robust business plan and guaranteed funding to start up the business/venture and sustain it?

6. How does the proposal benefit the community as a whole?” 

13.07.18

Last year, the '3Rs' campaign was launched by Cllr Gardner:
Revive Port Royal for all | a community initiative
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: an alternative view: a new campaign: an online petition > The '3Rs' vision to "retain, refurbish and reuse" > handed into Town Council

The group held a very well-attended public meeting a year ago:
Public Meeting this Wednesday, 23 August . Organised by 3Rs campaign ..Retain, Refurbish, Reuse..an alternative plan for Port Royal | Save Our Sidmouth
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: public meeting Weds 23rd August >>> the fallout
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