General Discussion
Dawlish Town Council have been passing on tips
BOB HAYES
Newquay
FINDING that Newquay Town Council planning committee had recently, and not for the first time, made approving comments on a planning application without first giving full consideration to the proposals or finding out the views of local people, many of whom had sent detailed objections to Restormel Council, I decided to go along to the full council meeting on June 4 to see if anything could be done to rectify this problem for the future.
During public question time I pointed out that information about the meetings and subject matter of the town council planning committee was not readily available, and that while Restormel wrote to interested parties for their views, the town council, which should be there to represent those views, appeared to make no similar efforts.
I fully expected to hear that the town council would look into methods of improving public participation in future.
Imagine my surprise when I was told by the mayor that it would be illegal for councillors to canvass the views of the public at all on such matters.
It seems therefore, that given the absurd interpretation given to the rules on personal interests, that the only people who are allowed to participate in decision-making are those who are totally ignorant of the subject under discussion.
When I recovered from this shock, I asked whether in the light of the fact that their decisions were at best ineffectual, and at worst contrary to the will of their electorate, councillors had considered that they might better serve the people of Newquay by standing down rather than serve an inadequate and corrupt system of government.
Choosing to interpret my words as an attack on the integrity of councillors, which they were not, rather than the system, which they were – presumably because this was an easier position to take – the mayor became quite hot under the collar and said that our councillors were all very hard working, and had to do things by the book.
What a pity that book appears to be Alice in Wonderland!
In an earlier exchange, Councillor Thompson offered one of the other councillors an advertisement for a free deaf-aid, as he seemed to have a proclivity for hearing what he wanted to hear rather than what was said.
From my experience at this particular meeting, it seems to me that they have plugged their ears quite deliberately!
Proof that websites like this are needed. You can't rely on civic local journalism to get to the crux of things or expose malfeasance.
appears to be council cronies posting on this website wishing to create a 'rosey' image of Dawlish.....in an attempt to hide the corruption that follows around certain Dawlish Councillors/Roundtablers/Rotarians like a rotten smell. They cry foul, yet are willing to support these people who commit abuses (such as abuse of planning laws, for example).
Can you really trust these fellow residents, who are willing to defend corruption, regardless of what happens to our town?
Blimey five posts by the same person.
All these rotten councils you keep copy and pasting Roy/Viaduct, are beggining to make our council look pretty good.Have you ever thought of apply for the DTC public relations job.
You have been on the pop,i guess you've been enjoying carnival week more than you've been letting on.