A NUMBER of objections to Crediton losing one fire engine have been put forward by Crediton Town Council’s Strategy Committee. These will go to the full town council later this month.

Also Cllr Tim Matthews’ proposal “to erect a memorial to Oliver Cromwell in Crediton” brought forth some criticism of the word “memorial” suggesting instead that “mark” might be better and one remarking “why would we want to do that?”

Cllr Matthews said that several people had suggested this. It could attract tourists and he knew of two possible sites.

“Most of you are fully aware Cromwell was here. Anything we can do to encourage people to visit this wonderful town would be good,” he added.

Cllr John Ross pointed out that both Cromwell’s army, under Fairfax, and the Royalists were in Crediton.

Any idea of a statue was not favoured by councillors and it was hoped it would not be seen as political because the town council was not political. Cllr Ross was invited to pursue the idea.

FIRE SERVICE IS VITAL

Cllr Nick Way (also a Devon County Councillor and a member of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority) had been to a meeting that day of the Authority said he had felt it should not have gone forward with the current consultation because it was “quite a confused exercise to get to grips with.”

He outlined the seven options put forward. The consultation ends on September 20. He felt its timing was unfortunate having been launched shortly before parish councils took their August break.

At Crediton the option was to take away one pump. Its appliances include a fast response vehicle, and Cllr Way was very much in favour of these, Crediton being one of the four stations that had one.

Crediton also had a support vehicle, manned by four firefighters, which could go anywhere in Devon or Somerset.

There was a cap on the number of firefighters a station could have and Cllr Way said that he understood the town’s second vehicle had gone out a lot more recently and, if the cap could be lifted, there would be no problem in crewing them all.

When there was the fire at the mill at Fordton, a number of fire crews came from “all over the show” said Cllr Way. When Crediton is called to support a station outside the town, that is not recorded.

He added that the town’s fire crews were also First Responders. Although the fire service was proposing to have six “roving vehicles” with a full-time crew, there was no further information yet on those.

Cllr Joyce Harris pointed out that Crediton’s crews get called to deal with accidents, losing one engine could mean less life-saving equipment available as quickly.

Cllr Way added that his email box was full of messages from places scheduled to lose an appliance. He was not sure what would happen to those vehicles taken away, whether they might be sold abroad.

Cllr Ross felt that fire crews deserved praise because they gave a service to the community, sometimes risking their lives.

It was agreed the town council should protest against the cuts, the resulting loss of manpower, equipment and experience, that Crediton needed its fire engines to be able to support other stations and because of the number of thatched properties in the area and being on the A377 with a growing population in the town and area.

THAT SCHOOL SITE

How the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan could affect Crediton, and therefore the possibility of a school expansion at Barnfield, the town council is still waiting to find out.

This is the plan that goes up to Exmoor and the Somerset border, touches West Devon and very much involves Mid Devon, therefore Crediton, looking forward to 2040.

There is a comprehensive (and interesting) website which says that more information would be provided this summer. (It has an interesting section for Crediton even though the data was collected in 2016).

Cllr Liz Brookes-Hocking was reporting on progress of the Crediton Neighbourhood Plan. This plan would become a legal planning document for the town. Currently the wishes of the town were being overlooked when planning applications were assessed.

Cllr Brookes-Hocking commented that Devon County Council could say land at Barnfield, owned by the town council, was wanted for a single site school.

“People are waiting to see what the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan will say because this could make Barnfield very attractive,” she commented.

Committee members thought they had been told before that there was not enough room on that site for school buildings, they wondered about a southern access, where the school’s aspirations lay and although there might not be the money now, this plan was about the long-term.

Would people walk to the new school at the top of Barnfield, how might a southern route manage the steep hill and how might all this affect the Crediton Neighbourhood Plan were among queries.

NEW COUNCIL SPACE

It might be possible for the town council to be able to hold meetings in the Old Landscore School from October. An update on this plan was given by the Town Clerk, Mrs Clare Dalley.

She said the town council now had the key to the building with the idea being “to have 12 months try before we buy” and whether to lease or buy.

Mrs Dalley said enough tables and chairs had been bought for meetings, office and other equipment would be needed, including a kettle.

Ways to be able to accommodate other agencies would be looked at as well as parking in this residential area.

EMERGENCY AND SURVEY

The town council would like to know if anyone would be interested to join its new Climate Change committee now that it has declared an Ecological Emergency. One idea put forward was for a wildlife warden.

The committee also agreed that the Devon Climate Declaration should be signed by the town council because it would pull together all the groups involved.

Cllr Frank Letch, council chairman and a member of this committee but not present this time, had asked if a short survey to businesses on Lords Meadow Industrial Estate could be done to “gain an understanding of the challenges their businesses are facing and possible solutions”.

Cllr Brookes-Hocking remarked that the town council had tried four years ago when surveys had been hand-delivered asking these sort of questions but only had three responses.

Cllr Ross suggested this should also go to the Chamber of Commerce. Cllr Brookes-Hocking said that a generation ago there was a really strong link with the trading estate but she appreciated that people in business work really long hours, do not really have the time for anything extra, nor the resources, neither did the town council but it was agreed it would fully support any move such as this.

CHRISTMAS PARKING

It was agreed the town council should support an initiative from Devon Waste Management at Devon County Council for a Crediton Community Larder.

Councillors were told this was a way of avoiding waste of food that could not be sold but was still perfectly alright, but would need daily checking.

It was agreed to seek free parking in St Saviour’s Way (High Street) car park for three Saturdays over the Christmas period.

Having a flagpole beside the War Memorial on Union Road was recommended for approval by the town council. The committee was told it would cost £445 for a fibreglass pole which, it was understood, was better than aluminium. A new flag would be needed because the flag the town council has was too big.

All the meeting agendas and minutes are on the town council website.