DOES Devon exist when it comes to getting things done and funding? Last week members of Crediton Town Council were told that Devon seems to be "off the map" compared to places further away.

Cllr Liz Brookes-Hocking was reporting on a National Association of Local Councils conference in Milton Keynes about the M5 and A38 spine road and commented: "It is striking how when you go to a national event like that and listen to people from other areas such as Oxford it seems as if we in Devon are off the map."

Cllr Brookes-Hocking added that although putting the railway through Okehampton was still being looked at, it did not seem to get much push from the Government.

She had been disappointed that the only road improvement mentioned was the A358 connecting the M5 and the A303 in Somerset, nothing for Devon.

Cllr Nick Way (also a Mid Devon and Devon County member) said there had been "a tremendous amount of hype" about the railway with the prime message several years ago that money was no object but it seemed no longer did that hold because the railway line was closed again due to the weather.

He was aware of the ambition to get a network between Okehampton and Exeter which he knew the town council supported.

"It is very disappointing because it does not seem to be going anywhere, hopefully it will.

"With others I was able to get money from Exeter Airport towards this project. A quarter of a million pounds is still hanging around in Devon County Council’s coffers waiting to be spent but there seems to be some sort of an impasse and we are still waiting. It is very frustrating," he said.

Cllr Brookes-Hocking added that Devon seemed to be out of balance with large amounts of money going to the south and little resources for the more isolated places to the north and west of the county.

She said this was one of the issues being looked at by Devon Association of Larger Councils.

CREDITON LEADS

Money and getting some of it was part of Cllr John Downes’ report on a Mid Devon District Council meeting.

He said it was clear the district council considered that Crediton was leading its air quality initiative.

"They were talking about air quality and spending and it was said that Crediton was leading and that sometimes there had been initiative and no money but this time there is the initiative and there is Section 106 money.

"So, if we are leading this we need to be sure we are getting this money," he said.

GAS ROAD WORKS

Cllr Way asked if anyone had comments about the road works for gas pipes on the A377.

He said this had been managed well with the lights being staffed during the day.

However, he understood a second set of lights had gone up at Langford Bridge which he had been told were "a disaster".

He also understood that the firm had been told to go by Devon Highways department. "A part of the problem is when you get a utility that is legally able to close a road and then tell Highways. It takes some time for Highways to come and look and I think that is what happened there," he said.

CHRISTMAS CLOSING

The council office (now at 8a North Street) will close at 2pm on Friday, December 21 and open again on Wednesday, January 2.

There was unanimous approval for the proposal by Cllr Brookes Hocking for the town council to receive the transfer of the Deeds for Newcombes Meadow public conveniences with completion early next year.

Cllr Andi Wyer reported that the steps from Queen Elizabeth Drive to Avranches were broken and crumbling with metal spikes sticking out.