THE Raddon Hills Group of Parish Councils met on Tuesday, October 20, in Upton Pyne Village Hall.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, Tony Hogg, came to the meeting to explain the present situation with policing in Devon and Cornwall and where the imminent cuts would fall.

He emphasised the importance of lobbying our MPs to change the thinking in Government about cuts to funding for Police and the threat to our PCSOs.

The representatives from the parishes agreed to get authorisation from their respective Parish Councils to put together a joint letter explaining how the cuts affect rural areas which can be sent to the Home Secretary.

The question of the proposed closure of local Police Stations was raised and it was suggested that redeveloping present sites to include some affordable housing and a Police Station room or siting the Police in with the Fire Service and Ambulance service may be the way forward.

Tom Vaughan, Devon County Council Neighbourhood Highways Manager also spoke to the meeting and explained how the parishes can work together to take on small works such as grass verge cutting, small repairs on minor roads, drains and gully cleaning etc.

Again the parishes agreed to talk to their Councillors and come up with suggestions where the Raddon Hills Group could work together and maybe fund a Parish Lengthsman.

Tom explained that all roadworks are listed on: roadworks.org and it was hoped to list the grass cutting sequence on future websites.

The meeting agreed to discuss the use of websites and social media to help to get their message out to their communities at the next meeting and to invite Cosmic to come and explain how these suggestions may work.

Cllr Jill Baker