KEY points from the recent Crediton Town Council Full Council meeting on Tuesday, July 7, were:

• Public participation rules: Chair, Cllr Huxtable clarified that town council meetings are meetings held in public rather than meetings of the public, and he set clearer boundaries for factual, polite questions within the council's remit.

• Tesco roadworks frustration centred on communication: County Cllr Cairney said the disruptive roadworks linked to the Tesco development are Tesco's responsibility rather than Devon County Council's, and he blamed poor advance communication and heat-related resurfacing problems for much of the frustration.

• Town-centre antisocial behaviour remains a live concern: Residents raised ongoing problems around the bus stop and old bank area, including rough sleeping, intimidation and unsanitary conditions, and Cllr Huxtable said he would follow up the specific report after the meeting.

• Sergeant Mark Arthurs report: Police want direct reporting, not Facebook tags; Devon and Cornwall Police cannot use social media as a reporting route and asked residents and councillors to use the website, 101 and direct e-mail channels instead.

Crediton Town Centre's PSPO is close to implementation and could come into force within around four weeks, giving the police and MDDC stronger powers to address antisocial behaviour and street drinking.

Recorded ASB is low but likely under-reported, with police data for the last 90 days showing relatively low reported antisocial behaviour in Crediton, but under-reporting limits how well resources can be targeted.

Crime rise in Crediton needs closer review, highlighted a 30% rise in reported crime in Crediton town over 12 months, although some increases sit on low base numbers. He singled out shoplifting as an area where improved reporting and enforcement are already producing court outcomes.

Partnership working is central to vulnerable adults cases; policing alone cannot resolve all town-centre issues because some of the people involved also need social care, NHS or safeguarding support.

Police contact routes will be circulated to improve direct communication with councillors and residents.

• Manor Office concerns were logged but not debated: Public questions challenged the Manor Office project's cost control, accessibility and suitability for full council meetings.

• Christmas lights remain a town-centre priority: Councillors supported spending on a more ambitious display with installation of additional cross streets in the High Street.

The approved Christmas lighting scheme is an in-principle commitment, with final delivery still dependent on building-owner consent, highway permissions, power supply and site checks for the new catenary wires.

• Bench replacement in MDDC should be like-for-like: Councillors agreed that MDDC should replace the 19 benches and 6 empty bases in Newcombes Meadow on a like-for-like basis.

• Outdoor gym proposal in Newcombes Meadow dropped as poor value: The long-running gym project is too expensive, weakly evidenced and tied to an unsuitable location, and the council agreed not to proceed.

• Old Landscore School rental valuation commission: The council chose to obtain a valuation for rental of the space, following organisations contacting CTC to rent the space. Following valuation, councillors will consider the next course of action.

• The council approved refurbishment and painting of the St Lawrence Green telephone box.