A TOWN council has shown it is thinking big after it said it would consider moving to a larger headquarters.

Canvey Island Town Council has said it will look into a possible move after the May 5 elections, as members feel the existingt offices in the High Street could be too small.

The town council may take on more responsibilities under the Government’s proposed Localism Bill, which will devolve greater powers to councils and communities.

One site which could be considered is the former Canvey Urban Council building in Long Road, part of which is used by the Canvey Outpatient Clinic.

Ray Howard, Tory councillor for the West ward, who is standing in the elections on May 5, said he liked the idea of moving back there.

He said: “It is a very emotional place for me as it is the first building where I was a councillor back in 1968. I think if we can we should try to move back in there because it is a great building.

“This town council will soon have bigger and extra responsibilities, and the premises we work from will need to be bigger.”

The town council, which moved to its current base in 2008, will also look at other potential sites in the centre of Canvey as part of its four-year plan.

If the town council was to move to Long Road, which is owned by Castle Point Council, refurbishment work would be required to bring it up to health and safety standards.

The building was the home of the urban council until 1974, when it was dissolved, along with Benfleet’s Urban Council, to form Castle Point Council.

If the town council decides to move to the building, it will need to make an offer to Castle Point Council to buy the site.

l Other candidates standing in West ward are Steven Cole, of the Canvey Island Independent Party, and Bill Deal, of the Labour Party.