WITHAM Town Hall could be sold by councillors who want to spend more on tackling anti-social behaviour.

Witham Town Council is considering a raft of short and long-term proposals to save money and generate more income amid funding cuts.

The authority has been told its Localism Fund grant from Braintree Council, at £49,700 now, will gradually be reduced to zero by 2020 because of Government cuts.

One radical option being considered is selling the Newland Street town hall, which has a £30,000 a year budget.

With the council looking to fund more special constables and tackle anti-social behaviour in the town, any savings could go towards addressing crime concerns.

Alternatives include renting out its function room, which gathers £9,500 a year, more often.

Michael Lager, who chaired a meeting on the issue on Monday, said: “If you look back at the trend in income, particular the cut in the Localism Fund, it’s dropping by a considerable amount.

“We found we have got an unsustainable situation if we just carry on the way we are.

“The town council is ambitious and wants to do more for residents.

“One of the main issues with the town hall is what lies behind, we have struggled accommodating outside staff as there’s an issue around access to the back.”

More short term options suggested in the agenda included hiring out the town hall more and licensing it as a wedding venue.

It was also suggested that the town hall garden could be turned into a car park and leased out.

Tomorrow night the council, will also address improving resources to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour.

Even the council’s shed containing tools was broken into over the weekend.

Mr Lager added: “There’s a lot of worry in the town after a number of armed robberies.

“Crime is a concern for many people in the town.”

He said the council wants to do more to improve crime prevention and CCTV.

Fellow councillor Rob Williams said the police budget did not allow for the same level of policing as it used to.

He said: “We want to be able to provide a little bit more safety and security for residents and in order to do that we want to help recruit special constables and improve CCTV performance, and that costs money.”

Police are investigating after sheds behind the town hall were broken into.

It happened last Friday and was reported to police on Monday.

Anyone with information about the break-in should call Essex Police on 101.