IDEAS as to where extra grit and salt bins would be useful in Crediton are sought by the town council, which would also like better publication of information about refuse collections during bad weather. There was also praise for people who had helped others.
At its monthly meeting on Tuesday, councillors heard that there had been concerns over the amount of black bags of refuse left uncollected on the High Street "for quite a long time".
It was understood lorries for Mid Devon District Council's refuse contractors, Viridor, had returned to its depot but been unable to unload because the depot had closed due to the weather.
Cllr Richard Adams wondered if a temporary unloading site could be found? Cllr Walter Brown thought the road to the Hillhead landfill site at Uffculme should be given priority by Devon County Council for gritting. The council agreed to write to the county council about these matters.
Another problem had been that people had not known what was happening with refuse collections. Cllr Bob Wright had understood that the district council had published this on the front page of its website and put an item in the Express and Echo.
However, Cllr Wright said that not everyone had access to the internet and, if the weather was bad, they were unable to get out to buy a newspaper!
The town council welcomed his news that the district council proposed to use BBC Radio Devon and Heart FM Radio to give out information in future.
GRIT BINS
Not many ideas had been received for sites for placing new grit and salt bins around the town. More suggestions would be welcomed. Write to the town council at Market Street, Crediton EX17 2BN or email the [email protected]">[email protected] .
Cllr Adams said that in some areas bags of salt and grit were dropped off at strategic points and collected when the weather improved if not used.
Council chairman and town Mayor, Cllr Frank Letch, said that in the Butt Parks area some people had treated bad spots with household salt, greatly helping those who were less able to get about, while another person had gone around in their 4x4 vehicle refilling empty bins.
"That is so typical of Crediton," he said. "This town is a community where people look out for each other, look out for those who might need help."
HIGH STREET
BUS PROBLEM
Reporting on a recent meeting of the town's Air Quality Management Steering Group, Cllr Walter Brown said he had heard that preliminary investigations were being made "to do something to the road between Lords Meadow and Barnstaple Cross".
Part of Crediton's air quality management plan had been to make it easier for traffic to overtake buses at the bus stop outside the Old Town Hall.
Some years ago the plan had been to widen the road by removing car parking on the side opposite the bus stop.
District council officers now wanted to talk about this with Crediton Town Council, a meeting that was welcomed by town councillors, who would like the meeting to be soon.
Bring big bang back
In recent years the start and end of the two minutes' silence at Crediton War Memorial has been marked by a maroon going off.
That did not happen last year. It was understood it had been stopped by the district council for safety reasons.
The town council is supporting Crediton Hamlets Parish Council and the Crediton branch of the Royal British Legion in asking for the maroon to be reinstated at this year's ceremony.
Both Hamlets and the RBL had written to the district council's chief executive about last year's ceremony.
The War Memorial on Union Road commemorates those from Crediton and area, which includes Crediton Hamlets, who died in battle.
Crediton Hamlets Parish Council contributes financially to the upkeep of the War Memorial and its chairman has an equal place beside the Mayor of Crediton at the Remembrance ceremonies at the Memorial, organised by Crediton branch RBL.
BOLLARD TO RETURN
Cllr Letch said that a bollard outside Crediton Card Centre in Crediton High Street had been knocked down but not replaced. Lorries now swung over the corner of the built-out pavement to park instead of reversing into the space, causing concern to pedestrians.
The assistant town clerk, Mr Martin Ashley, said he understood this bollard, and the one knocked over at the bottom of Market Street, had both been removed to be repaired before being replaced.
The council strongly wished for this work to be done, especially with the High Street bollard which was part of the heritage scheme in the town.
PLANNING
There was only one planning application before this meeting. This was for the erection of an extension, installation of four dormer windows, conversion of garage into extra living accommodation and building a replacement detached garage at Shangri La, Western Road. Councillors recommended approval. The final planning decisions will be made by the district council.
March return for Town Clerk
LAST week's meeting of Crediton Town Council (February 2) was an extraordinary meeting in place of the usual general purposes committee meeting because of its Part Two agenda, when the press and public are excluded.
After that meeting the chairman, Cllr Frank Letch, said the Part Two meeting had been to resolve the town clerk's safe return to work as from Thursday, February 4.
The town clerk, Mr Martin Maggs, has had a prolonged absence due to illness. He will be back at work full time by March.
Crediton Town Council office is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays although there is someone in the office five days a week and appointments may be made outside those days.
Clean up for council offices
CREDITON Town Council office in the Mid Devon District Council building on Market Street will be closed on Monday, February 8, for staff training.
The building is being redecorated. The council chamber now has a creamy coloured ceiling in place of pale green, as are the walls on the stairs, replacing the wallpaper.
The town council office will also be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 9 and 10 for redecoration. The telephone will still be answered and the assistant town clerk should be able to access his email on both days.