A DECISION to offer two organisations in Williton a special deal for using community facilities at the village's new parish office came under fire his week.

Williton Parish Council has paid £75,000 to buy the former West Somerset Council IT building in Killick Way for a civic base.

But in addition to leasing out part of the premises for commercial use, the building will also include a meeting room and foyer that will be available for community use.

A £45,000 refurbishment of the premises is expected to get underway shortly, with the council having had to take out a loan to fund the work and the purchase.

Although the charges for local groups and organisations have yet to be revealed, councillors heard at their meeting on Tuesday that Williton Twinning Association would be allowed to use the facilities free of charge, as long as a councillor was present.

In addition, the local branch of the Royal British Legion would not be charged for using the building on either Armistice Day or Armed Forces Day, although it would have to pay the parish rate on other occasions but with free use of the kitchen facilities.

But Cllr Elizabeth Peeks said the decision to single out two organisations for special treatment could cause problems.

"I think it should be the same for everyone," she said. "People need to understand why these two groups have been picked out compared to other groups in the village."

Cllr Bill Vaughan, who chairs the finance and administration committee, which made the decision, said it was felt that the twinning association had been started by the council and that it would be a good idea to try to revive the civic link.

He said the council continued to be represented on the association and as long as a councillor was present at any meetings or events, there would be no charge.

With regard to the RBL, Cllr Vaughan said it was felt that the council should support the organisation on the two specific days.

But Cllr Peeks said she was still concerned at the principle of the decision.

Councillors have also yet to decide on the rent charged for the commercial section of the building.

Local agents have suggested the 4m by 3.5m space could command a rent of around £700 a month but Cllr Vaughan said this was felt to be "a bit steep" for start-up businesses, the sector earmarked to occupy it under the sale agreement with the district council.

He said the rent was likely to be considerably less.

But Cllr Rebecca James said the council had to ensure it got the best rate for the area.

"It may not be a local business that takes it on," she said.

"We could use the profit from it to subsidise the charges to groups and organisations wanting to use the community facilities.

Cllr Peeks said the building could not run at a loss but Cllr James insisted that equally it should not make a profit.

She reminded councillors that there had been some concern raised by local people about the cost of the building and the potential burden to local taxpayers.

And she said the rates for the community facilities should be decided once the commercial rent had been agreed.

The cost of repaying the loan for the purchase and refurbishment is expected to be around £9,000 a year but Cllr Vaughan has previously said this would be offset by the commercial rent.