Ottery twinners' free office bid fails

A REQUEST from Ottery s Twinning Association to use the town s council office for free fell on deaf ears on Monday night.

A REQUEST from Ottery's Twinning Association to use the town's council office for free fell on deaf ears on Monday night.

Ottery town councillors voted to impose a �5 an hour charge for the group to use its meeting room in the Old Convent in Broad Street "just like everybody else".

Councillor William Laitinen had urged his colleagues to "look at the bigger picture" by entertaining the request, and not to be "pound-wise and penny-stupid" over a group he said brings tourists to Ottery.

However, deputy mayor Ian Holmes said: "If you start saying you can have this for free, you will have to do it for everyone."

Cllr John Harding was one of four other members who agreed, saying the council had already awarded the group a cash grant this year.