Rumours of the district council leaving at end of month are untrue.

South Hams District Council has planned to terminate the services that are to be devolved to Dartmouth Town Council on December 31, according to a council worker. South Hams have said that the closure of a Dartmouth depot is unrelated and service will continue until the transfer is completed.

On Wednesday, December 20, a council worker explained to the Chronicle, that he and his fellow workers, were preparing to leave Dartmouth at the end of the month. He said: “They are clearing out our depot today. It will be taken over by the big boat company [Rib-eye] and then that is it.

“Services [associated with the transfer of Coronation Park, Royal Avenue Gardens, Castle Estate and other small pieces of land] were supposed to transfer earlier but for the illness of South Ham’s solicitor,”

However, the clearing of the depot was not related to the transfer of assets but to the newly built large unit in Britannia Court according to another worker at the depot and this was confirmed by a spokesman for South Hams who said: “The current site in Dartmouth that is used by the Grounds Maintenance team, is being cleared. But the timing for this is not directly related to the proposed transfer to Dartmouth Town Council. An alternative site for the team is currently being prepared.

“The council will not be stopping any services for assets ahead of the proposed transfer to Dartmouth Town Council. The details of the proposed transfer are still being negotiated and a completion date has yet to be agreed. The council will continue to manage the areas in question until the date of transfer.”

No date for the transfer was given by Dartmouth Mayor, Councillor Richard Cooke at the last full council meeting on Monday, December 4 when the council amended a proposal to consult the public before the transfer.