General Discussion

After reading some threads on this forum I have come to the conclusion that the town council is utterly useless. We'd be better off without their 'help'

And what do you suggest instead?

What about having just one Dawlish representative (who could have a personal assistant) at Teignbridge District Council.

Thus doing away with town councils altogether.

Good suggestion

Doesn't sound very democratic to me.

It is if you vote for that person in the local election

How is that an improvement though? One person representing the interests of our town is surely more likely to lead to accusations that the person is not acting in the best interests of the electorate? I'd rather there be a diversity of opinions, rather than the opinions of just one person who might not truly represent me or my town.

We currently have too many layers of governance.

• Westminster
• South West Regional Assembly
• Devon County Council
• Teignbridge District Council
• Dawlish Town Council
• Town Wards

This is definitely a waste of time and money, the system needs restructuring.

Good point, however I'd rather be governed at a local level by local people who understand the local issues. As long as they have a fair and equitable budget to work with. And as long as they are representative of all sections of our local society. At our level, I believe that all Borough councillors should independents, however I appreciate that there are too many vested interests to allow that to ever happen.

So as everyone is so unhappy with Dawlish and Teignbridge it needs to be simply 3 layers..what a saving that would be and then no more comments about people on Dawlish Council.

• South West Regional Assembly
• Devon County Council

Why do we need quangoes ? South West Regional Assembly oh nooooooooooooooooooooooooo

South West Regional Assembly no longer exists.

thanks for that Lynne wasnt sure if it still excisted, and whenWondering brought it up !!!!!

I totally agree that the town council does not do enough to improve the situation in Dawlish, the problem often lies with their inability to agree with each other. The residents of Dawlish could have much more influence if they just turned up to the council meetings (held on a regular basis) and put their questions to them directly. These have to be minuted and discussed. Its more effective than talking on forums!!

I don't agree with the comments that councillor Clatworthy does a lot for the town. Have you seen the state of the roads? He sits on the Highways committee and also the cabinet of Devon County Council so nobody has more influence than him. One of his electoral promises was to get something done about the railway bridge, I'm the only person who has been in contact with Network Rail and I've forwarded the info onto the council. Its easy to turn up for photo opportunites at charity events and call in on pensioners prior to a local election, but the proofs in the pudding! We need a complete overhaul of our councillors!!

@Domspiral

I hope all those critics of the councillors will be standing at the next elections in May.

I look forward to reading their manifestoes. (Genuinely, I want to see what a difference can be made by those who are currently outside of council)

Hopefully the mailshots will be better than the Lib Dem one through my door today - a load of twaddle and how sad to see that Mr Protheroe is standing again for TDC, not getting re-elected last time obviously not humiliating enough for him.