Councillors accused of 'sitting on
the fence' over link road plans
FRUSTRATION showed itself at Crediton Council Chamber on Tuesday evening when two members of the public walked out after the town council was accused of "sitting on the fence" and not making a decision on a proposed route for a link road.
When the time came for questions from members of the public a "rough ride" began for councillors.
Bill Dixon wanted to know what questions the town council had asked and of whom, that it said had not yet been answered and how much land had been bought from the Downes Estate by Devon County Council, or any other body, in the last five years and at what cost?
He also wanted to know if the town council accepted that delays in answering its questions could result in Crediton "being presented with a fait acompli" that would not lessen traffic pollution.
County councillor Nick Way said that, so far as he was aware, no land had been bought from Downes, but he would check.
About 16 members of the public took part in public question time with some remarks strongly expressed.
Cllr David Nation said he did not want Crediton Traffic Action Group "to be frustrated because it felt the town council was dragging its feet" but it was not fair to expect the town council to answer questions that should go to the county or district councils.
However, on one point councillors were all agreed that the consultation in September needed to be "on all three routes - the western, hillside and valley," but it felt it should not make a decision as a council "until all the information was available."
"It does not take a genius to realise the western route is an exceedingly poor design," said Steve Colombé, adding that Exeter Road residents would be "sandwiched" between two busy roads.
He asked the town council "to come out against" the western route. "That road is a lousy, lousy option," he said, telling the town council he felt it was "sitting on the fence."
Council chairman Cllr Frank Letch replied that the town council had asked for a consultation on the three routes and had pledged to look at this point.
Mr Colombé replied that the mayor was "making excuses". Why could not the town council "show a bit of muscle and strength," he said and left the meeting.
Cllr David Nation said he had heard these accusations before; that the council should say it wanted the western route abandoned. He explained that, as a member of the district council planning committee he was not allowed, by law to give a preference prior to the item being discussed at the relevant committee.
However, if the town council was going to have any future where what it said was taken seriously and given some value, then it would have to show it had listened to all the arguments.
He gave an assurance that the county council had undertaken "extensive research" into the western route and had told the town council it would consult.
"That is the time you come off the fence and state your views," he said. "I want us, as your representatives, to be in the strongest position to argue for what we think is the best for the people of Crediton. This is why we must wait for the result of the research."
When a member of the public asked if the town council realised that the Downes Estate's main interest in opposing the hillside route was to avoid its exemption from inheritance tax, Cllr Letch said "no" and could the council have a copy of the letter which gave this information?
When Bill Dixon said he was concerned that if Crediton did not act quickly, the road could be driven through, brought sounds of agreement from around the room.
Cllr John Downes said he got "as frustrated as everyone else", adding that it was sad people thought the town council had powers it did not have. It was only a consulting body.
Cllr Liz Brookes-Hocking pointed out that the town council had asked the county council for the valley route to be included in the consultation because TAG had asked it to do so.
She said she totally understood people feeling frustrated "because their council is not doing what they think it should".
She was another person who spoke, with some fervour, that the western route "went nowhere, would do nothing for the town and would affect people's homes."
If there was a plan to flatten the High Street to make way for lorries, people would say that was stupid. She suggested the town council could say it had reservations about the western route.
When a member of the public asked if, after the consultation in September, the town council would go for the majority view or its own, Cllr Letch replied: "I think you are quite safe, we would go with the town."
Someone asked about "the massive earthworks" beside the new roundabout for the Tesco store on the Exeter road. Was this the start of a link road?
Cllr Nation explained that it had been intended for access to a link road, it was part of the planning permission given to Tesco, but "it could stay there for 30 years, or it could be used." He added: "It is, in a sense, the start of a link road, but if this is not agreed, it will go nowhere."
Thanking everyone for coming to the half hour session of questions from the public, Cllr Letch said that if anyone had other letters of interest regarding the link roads, the town council would be glad to see them.
Councillors were adamant, however, that the September consultation should be on the three routes. Cllr Way said they were "pushing hard for this".
They wanted the county council to be aware of strong public opinion in Crediton against the western route. Cllr Way reminded members that the reason a link road was in the county Transport Plan at all was the need to address air quality issues.
"Research is being carried out whether the western route, or any other, would help alleviate this," he said. Cllr Peter Finnegan wanted to know what prompted the county council engineers to come up with the third, western route, which could prove to be the most destructive?
He was told it was because of objections by English Heritage and the Downes Estate and because haulage companies had complained a hillside route was too steep.
Cllr Walter Brown pointed out that it "would not be sensible for the town council to compromise its position before it could genuinely decide on a route in September."
Museum looks for help
WITH set up costs of more than £5,000, £6,000 a year rent and £1,000 a year running costs, Crediton Area History and Museum Society will be looking to the town council for financial help.
Committee member and author of the Crediton book, John Heal, told councillors that interest in the 25 years old Society had "increased significantly" since its exhibition in the Old Town Hall had opened a month ago.
It had more than enough volunteers to staff a museum in the Old Town Hall but needed the finances to do so.
A grant from the town council would not only help this, but would also show a willingness in the town and support for the venture. Applications were also being made for grants. The museum would take over the ground floor of the Old Town Hall.
Mr Heal said in its first three weeks, more than 500 people visited the exhibition CAHMS has there, with more than £1,000 being raised in pledges and donations, showing thow much support there was.
A permanent exhibition would let the Society make its extensive archive, now held at Downes, more accessible and there would be enough material to change the exhibition regularly.
There had been offers of artefacts and papers, local schools were supporting the idea, and Year 8 at QECC was doing a project on what pupils saw at the current exhibition.
Mr Heal said it was hoped to keep this exhibition open through the summer. "We believe it provides a valuable place on the High Street, encouraging more people to go into that area."
He said the Society would like to know the town council's decision "almost immediately" but could wait "a couple of months" for the money.
The £5,000 set up costs would include redecorating, possibly a new carpet, and modern computer equipment. It was hoped that it could become a family history centre within a year of opening.
Cllr Way said the town council had agreed to help in principle and he was encouraged by the fact that so many people were prepared to give their spare time to "do something for the town."
Mr Heal was "confident" the Society would be able to raise enough money to lease the Old Town Hall for two years.
The town council will be discussing a donation at its general purposes committee meeting on July 7.
Music and dancing
It was understood that application had been made for the White Swan to vary its license to allow music and dancing in the courtyard at the side of the pub to1am.
However, councillors had been having difficulty checking this on the district council website and wondered if any people living in that area had the same difficulties, and so would ask for the July 3 response date to be extended.
Donations
An application for funding from Crediton Climate Action Group was deferred, pending receipt and examination of its accounts for the past year.
It was agreed to donate £200 to Crediton Area Support Group of the Exeter and District branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society to help fund an outing for members to the Eden Project. The town council had received the group's accounts, which it requires from any organisation asking for financial help.
Councillors felt they could not support a request for funding from Unite Carers in Mid Devon, based in Tiverton.
Funding for fence
Councillors heard that a resident has been clearing an overgrown public area beside Blagdon Place and would like the town council to contribute something in the region of £36 to paint the fence.
Before it agreed to a donation, the council needs to check from which "pot" the money would come.
Surgeries
The Mayor, Cllr Frank Letch, is continuing to hold his surgeries once a month. The next will be on July 6 followed by August 3, September 7, October 5, November 2 and December 14.
Planning
Approval was recommended to the district council for the followiing planning applications:
One dwelling following demolition of an existing Nissan hut at 20 High Street plus Listed Building Consent.
Devon County Council for a two storey modular classroom to provide for eight classrooms at Queen Elizabeth's Community College, Western Road.
Change of use of the shop at 20 High Street to a cafe and conversion of one flat into three flats, plus Listed Building Consent.
Milk Link Processing Limited for a two-storey extension at Church Lane and two cream tanks.
There was no objection to an application to make a hardstanding at 15 Butt Parks.
Tesco £5,000
A TESCO top person was not very pleased to be told that the company's £5,000 gift to Crediton was "derisory" and couldn't it do better?
Melanie Chiswell, Tesco corporate affairs manager, was 15 minutes late for this week's Crediton Town Council meeting, having been diverted on her journey from Seaton. People wondered whether she had also been held up by roadworks on the Exeter road into Crediton?
Melanie said she was there to listen to ideas on how to spend the £5,000 Tesco was giving from its community budget when its store opened.
"We want to make sure we spend this on something that most people want," she said, preferring "something that would be around for a long time" because this would be a one-off, rather than spending it on an event.
She did not see why it could not be used, with other funding, for a larger project but would want to know what this would be?
Cllr Bob Wright said previous ideas for projects had included renovating the Scout Memorial Garden on Peoples Park and a kitchen for the Young Club at the Congregational Church.
A member of the public wondered if the £5,000 could be used to create cycle lanes, perhaps to extend the one being provided by Tesco, but Melanie said it would not be able to do work on land it did not own. She did not think the £5,000 could be added to any plans for a cycle way.
Mr John Heal, Crediton Area History and Museum Society, said it was looking for funds to create a museum in the Old Town Hall.
Another member of the public said that Tesco would be increasing traffic through the town, so perhaps more trees could be planted to absorb the CO2?
But Melanie was reluctant to get into a discussion about increasing the town's carbon footprint.
A member of the public felt the £5,000 was a "derisory amount". He felt it was "a bit of PR" and asked if Tesco could be encouraged to give something "that would make a significant impact"?
The £5,000 would be "five minutes' ringing on the tills" and Tesco would be "making a huge profit from the town."
Melanie explained that the budget had been allocated and wondered which other developers gave this sort of funding? Tesco would be making a huge difference to the town and would have a community champion when the store opened, whose job it would be to help the town.
It would also be sourcing a lot of local produce.
More money was not available, and Melanie was not in a position to negotiate for more for Crediton.
Anyone with ideas for projects on which the £5,000 could be spent are asked to contact Crediton Town Council at Market Street, Crediton EX17 2BN or email [email protected]">[email protected] .
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