CREDITON Town Council is still hoping to clear the confusion caused by the part-time loading bays on the High Street.

Responding on Tuesday to the Government consultation on local authority parking, councillors suggested loading bays could be clearly marked with a different colour to that of the limited parking areas.

This was to the question of whether the Government should be considering doing more to tackle genuinely anti-social parking or driving.

Saying that cars parked in a loading bay at the wrong time was anti-social because this could cause delivery vehicles to park on the road, councillors thought loading bays should be clearly marked on the highway and Civil Enforcement Officers could then issue an advisory note instead of a parking ticket.

To the question whether local authority parking enforcement was "being applied fairly and reasonably in your area", councillors thought it was, except where loading bays were concerned.

They agreed that motorists who lose an appeal at a parking tribunal should be offered a 25 per cent discount for prompt payment.

Councillors agreed that authorities should be required by regulation to allow a grace period at the end of paid-for parking.

With the question of whether there should be a grace period offered more widely, such as for overstaying in free parking bays, at the start of pay and display parking and paid-for parking bays, and in areas where there were parking restrictions (such as loading restrictions or single yellow lines), it was felt that perhaps five minutes or a maximum of 10, but the whole point of timed parking bays was for a quick "turn over" of vehicles.

Another question was whether local residents and firms should be able to ask for a review of yellow lines, parking provision, charges etc, in their area and if so, what should these cover and what should be the threshold for triggering a review

Councillors said "yes" if there was an appropriate number of complaints.

The consultation began in December and ends on Friday, February 14. In its introduction, the 23-page document says that "local authorities need to ensure that appropriate parking spaces are available, that signs and road markings are clear, that car parking charges are reasonable and attractive to encourage people to use the town centres and that enforcement is fair and proportionate."

As Government documents go, this one is interesting, gives facts and figures that can be understood.

A summary of responses, including the next steps, will be published on the same website within three months of the consultation closing.

A comment from a councillor was that, at present, the local policy seemed to be to deter people from parking because people were afraid of parking because they were unsure of where they could and could not park on Crediton High Street.

RENTING GARAGE

Councillors agreed that the town council should rent a garage from Mid Devon District Council at a cost of £422 a year to use for storage.

This could be used for pallet loads of bags of grit and salt, taking a bag or two where needed or to the council office. Any paperwork would be stored in plastic boxes on racks.

The clerk, Mrs Clare Dalley, said that, at present, the town council was "totally reliant" on the goodwill of other people for storage of some items.

COUNTY BUDGET

Cllr Nick Way (also a district and county councillor) reported that the county council would be holding an Information Day in Crediton about its budget.

This would be on the morning of February 14 at the Old Town Hall. Cllr Way commented that there were implications for youth services, Meals on Wheels, residential care in people's homes.

He said the county budget was "tight" and there was a 45-day consultation period. He added that the county council was doing what it could to encourage voluntary groups to come forward.

This would be an agenda item for the town council.

PLANNING

It was noted with some regret that Mid Devon District Council had approved a planning application to convert the undercroft (open parking spaces) at Glendower Court on Station Approach to two flats.

The town council had objected, saying this was over-intensification of the site and would result in the loss of an important amenity area for the people living at Glendower Court.

It had also asked the district council planning officer to justify the planning reasons behind any decision in advance of determination.

Looking at current applications, approval was recommended for an application to fell three sycamore trees in the Conservation Area at Arden House, Union Road.

An application to build extensions to 59 East Street following removal of an existing sun lounge was objected to on the grounds of an adverse effect on a neighbouring property.

There was no objection to an application to convert an existing integral garage at Larksbloom, Brays Close, into additional living accommodation and to build a detached garage.