WEST Somerset District Council looks set to move its main operations out of Williton and into a purpose-built multi-million pound office complex in Minehead.

The new offices would be built on the Clanville Road car park, neighbouring land and the existing nursery, while the redundant office site in Williton would be developed into 'community facilities'.

Council chief executive Tim Howes heralded the move as a step towards greater efficiency for the authority and an important part of the much-needed regeneration of Williton.

He was supported by council leader, Cllr Steven Pugsley, who said the more money the authority saved, the less the Council Tax payers would have to find.

He said: "There are various aspects to this plan that will bring benefits across the district.

"We will be making considerable revenue savings as a result of this recommendation . . . and that will be beneficial to everyone."

He said more in-depth details about the proposals would be given to members soon, but said the project did include plans for satellite offices across the district, including one in Williton.

The proposal to move to Minehead comes as a result of the council's recent decision to employ an independent consultant to take a new look at the various options available.

Having already been told that the scheme was too small to attract private funding, councillors opted to go for a land-exchange, design and build deal, where the cost of the scheme would be off-set by the developer being given a plot of council-owned land elsewhere.

On Wednesday, they were asked to formally approve the un-named consultant's initial recommendation to up-sticks and move operations to Minehead.

A report from the consultant stated: "Given the distribution of population, a centralised facility in Minehead will offer greater benefits than one situated in Williton.

"A new, purpose-built facility will offer greater scope for operational improvements than an enlargement of the existing facility at Williton.

"Replacing the existing offices at Williton on the same site involved very considerable practical difficulties.

"As a first option, the council should examine the comprehensive development of the Clanville car park, the nursery and the adjoining land."

The consultant also recommended that the Clanville scheme should include car parking and residential development as well as council offices.

Meanwhile, surplus land at Clanville, Williton and Blenheim Road, in Minehead, should be sold.

While the majority of councillors welcomed the proposals, others had reservations.

Quantock Vale member Cllr Keith Turpin said: "What am I going to tell my residents?

"How are they going to benefit from this? The move will be detrimental to everything they stand for."

Cllr Terry Ayre, also Quantock Vale, voiced doubts about the transport links to the area: "If we move to Minehead, I hope we have a decent road to travel along."

But for others, like Dulverton residents, the move would be beneficial - as Cllr Keith Ross pointed out, Minehead was on a direct bus route from the town whereas Williton was not.

However, his colleague Cllr Mike Gammon said: "There was an article in the West Somerset Free Press 25 years ago stating the council was looking for office accommodation. Let's hope it's not going to take another 25 years!"

In the event, councillors voted overwhelmingly to support the consultant's recommendations, but several were absent from the vote having been advised to declare an interest in proceedings.

As businessmen as well as councillors, Mr Howes had advised that some members should declare an interest and not participate in the debate as it could be seen that they were fighting for their own financial gain.

In particular, he had advised Williton newsagent Cllr Hugh Davies to declare an interest and leave the meeting as it could be argued that the council's move to Minehead could adversely affect his trade.

However, when councillors were asked to leave the room before the office accommodation debate, things did not run smoothly.

Cllr Davies threatened to take the authority to the Ombudsman if he was the only member advised to declare an interest, citing the possible financial gain other councillors and businessmen could get if the council did move to Minehead.

He said: "I seem to be the only one who has been told to declare an interest but there are other traders in this room who could gain from this move.

"It is very unfair and if I have to leave the room I will take the matter to the Ombudsman.

"Some of the people in this room, and I won't name them, trade right in front of the proposed site. I'm disgusted."

He also voiced his disappointment at the fact no other councillors seemed to be supporting his stance.

After some sticky exchanges between Cllr Davies and Mr Howes, Alcombe West member and businessman Cllr Simon Stokes declared an interest and left the meeting with Cllr Davies.

Cllr Jenny David, meanwhile, announced she had to leave the meeting anyway, but was not declaring an interest as her family butchery business traded throughout the county and not just in Minehead.

By then Minehead member and café owner Cllr Keith Parkes had followed Cllr Stokes and Cllr Davies by declaring an interest and leaving the meeting.

His was to be the last departure, though, as fellow Minehead councillor and businessman Cllr Colin Hill echoed Cllr David's stance.

He said: "My company delivers all over West Somerset and I agree with Cllr David.

"If we carry on like this, everyone in this room could end up having to say they have a pecuniary interest. Where does it end?"