General Discussion
When do we get to find out the full and final list of candidates for the forthcoming local elections - Dawlish Town Council and Teignbridge District Council? Thanks.
I wonder why Teignbridge is later in the day than East Devon? It's interesting (and rather saddening) to read on the E&E website about there being so many uncontested seats in the East Devon elections. Hopefully the same isn't true on this side of the water.
According to TDC 's website the names of the candidates for the district and town council elections will be published at 4.00pm today (Friday 10th).
'ere tis.
Teignbridge District Candidates – scroll down page to find the two Dawlish wards
http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=43681&p=0
3 district councillors get returned from Dawlish Central and North East ward (10 candidates standing: 3 x Conservative, 1x Green, 3 x Independent, 1 x Labour, 2 x Liberal Democrat)
2 district councillors get returned from Dawlish South West ward ( 5 candidates standing; 2 x Conservative, 1 x Green, 1 x Lib Dem, 1 x UKIP)
Dawlish Town Council candidates – scroll down this to find the three Dawlish wards
http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=43683&p=0
Central ward has 6 seats. There are 10 candidates. 5 Conservative, 5 Independent.
North East ward has 4 seats. There are 5 candidates. 2 x Conservative, 2 x Independent, 1 x Lib Dem
South West ward has 6 seats. There are 7 candidates. 5 x Conservative, 1 x Independent, 1x Lib Dem
Well if I'm reading it right, I'm very sorry to see Michael Clayson not standing, I think he and Bob Vickery have been very diligent councillors and deserves thanks. And while I've never seen eye to eye with Margaret Swift, thanks to her too for her work for Dawlish.
It is indeed sad news that Michael and Robert aren't standing in our elections. I trust that they'll enjoy life without the stresses that they've faced whilst in office. Dawlish will be a far poorer place without their verve, imagination and willingness to get things done.
And sorry, I forgot to mention, their willingness to communicate with the people they represented. I can only hope that in this respect they've set the benchmark by which their successors will be judged.
Totallyagree with that Michael and Bob have always done their best to explain and find things out. Their input will be irreplaceable
So, if my maths correct, the Tories are guaranteed an absolute minimum of 6 seats on DTC, but I reckon are likely to have 9 or 10 councillors and therefore absolute control of our town council. Where are the LibDem candidates SoD???
As per the other thread, there's only one option available if you don't want a return of the Tory freemason brigade in Dawlish. Vote for the Independents, even though they cannot have overall control as they can only have an absolute maximum of 8 councillors.
I notice Janet Garland is standing under the Tory banner this time around, after having been previously elected unopposed as a Lib Dem, and subsequently losing the seat in 2011 when she had to fight a real election. I guess the Lib Dem ticket must be too toxic for her now. I wish her all the success she had in 2011.
I am so disappointed Michael and Robert aren't standing, they operated with great decorum in the face of some pretty shabby behaviour. I hope they were not worn down by it. But good luck to them, they can hold their heads high. I see they have nominated a couple of other independents so let's hope they're cut from the same cloth.
@Michael and Bob - although I've already pressed 'agree' I thought I'd write something as well. I also think your not standing again a loss to the council and Dawlish and I know others who also feel the same. That is not to say that I always agreed with you, but hey that's politics. So it's our loss but your gain. Now you have your freedom back. Either to do nothing at all or to be free to express your views without being tied by a town council decision that as individuals you may have disagreed with or not be able to participate in any particular discussion at Council because of some other reason like having to declare a pecuniary interest.
Will you still be posting on here?
@Mrs C - so, those who do not wish to have the town council controlled by one political party need to vote for, and urge others to vote for, the independent candidates and lib dem candidates only. Voters need to be aware that they do not have to use all their votes. (unless the rules have changed but I don't think they have)
For example, in North East ward there are 4 seats up for grabs. To increase the chances of the 2 x Independents and 1 x lib dem being elected vote for them only. Do not use your fourth vote.
In central ward where there are 6 seats vacant, vote for the 5 Independents and do not use your 6th vote.
In south west ward (6 seats) vote only for the Lib Dem and the Independent candidates.
Thank you very much everyone for the kind comments. I really appreciate them, and I know Bob does too.
I am very proud of the work the team of town councillors has done over the last four years. Most of the objectives we set have been achieved. The council is running smoothly with reduced operating costs. This meant we could find the cash needed for public priorities like dredging the Brook, saving the toilets at Sandy Lane and keeping the doors of Red Rock open. We saved the Manor and brought it up to standard. The Park Road building was sold for social housing. When disaster struck Dawlish, we launched an Appeal within 48 hours and raised £27,000 for local families.
Many people disagreed with our proposals for the Lawn. I will always be proud that councillors didn’t hide away during that time in a bunker. We did our best to explain our ideas and thought hard about what people were telling us. Maybe the legacy in time will be a project that meets the need for modern facility in a new design that more people will feel suits the setting of the Lawn. That will be for others to take on.
Bob was very clear from that start that he would only serve one term.
If I stand again for election I will be forgoing precious time together in favour of endless meetings. My mother has been profoundly disabled by a series of strokes, I have to consider her needs. Given that I think I have achieved as much as I am likely to as a town councillor, the choice was clear.
Lynne asked if we will still be posting on this site. There is a month to go, and so we may be posting information for a while yet. We’re very much of the opinion that after the election it would be unfair on the new councillors for those of us who have retired to interfere. I hope however that they will see social media as an important part of the work, and keep engaged with everyone.
Bob and I will be getting married in July. It’s taken 25 years to get there, so it’s a source of great pleasure for us. Good luck to those that come after us on the council. We're all very lucky to live in this town.
Many congratulations Michael and Bob. Will you be using the Carnival float for your nuptials? 
Very witty Mcjrpc, very witty.
Many, Many, congrats Michael and Bob. Now that's a Tory policy of which I thoroughly approve. (But it's about the only one though!)
Just had the Lib Dem Focus election leaflet pushed through the letterbox.
Re the Local elections (to Teignbridge District Council). They say:
1. They will fight against the threat of compulsory purchase of Warren Farm by TDC.
2. They will campaign for more transparency and fairness in local government decision making.
3. They oppose the introduction of a £35 annual green-bin charge. If elected they will work to scrap the scheme.
4. They believe that more affordable homes are needed within all the new house building due to take place in Dawlish, along with the necessary infrastructure eg roads, schools, health services.
5. They believe money should be spent on caring for the elderly, fixing pot holes and running local services rather than spending it on improving facilities for councillors.
And now I've had a Tory leaflet delivered.
These are their priorities for Dawlish with regard to TDC.
1. To work to keep the council tax under control and cut out excess spending.
2. To fight for affordable housing for local people both young and old along with the necessary infrastructure.
3. To give tourism a higher priority and bring new business to the town. Much of the employment is tourism based.
4. Work through Regeneration to improve the traffic problems.
5. Work to ensure that the infrastructure keeps pace with developments.
6. To keep young families in the town they must not forget affordable housing.
7. To ensure that Dawlish remains a pleasant place in which to live, work and retire
Congratulations Michael and Bob. All the very best for the future and thank you for all you have done.
Congratulations to Michael and Bob, you will be missed by many. You have worked so hard for the people of Dawlish.
Congratulations Michael and Bob!
I may not have agreed with your politics but you both did a bloody good job for this town.
For that you both have my thanks.
Huw
It has been very heart-warming to see the kind remarks about Michael and my time on the Town Council. We have had to devote a lot of time to it, it has to be admitted. I am tempted to rollout the challenges to us and our original 'Voices for Dawlish' group, but it might sour the sentiment, and I suspect that many people know enough not be reminded.
Thank you for your best wishes. We will not disappear as we have adopted Dawlish for life.
Best wishes
Bob
I have enjoyed working with you and Michael, Bob and you both deserve all the praise you are receiving on this forum. You have both worked very hard as Councillors for Dawlish. Congratulations on your fantastic news.
I am rather glad that these two councillors are standing down, at least The Lawn might be in safe hands in the future.
It's true though! I don't subscribe to the St. Michael & St. Bob Appreciation Society, as you may have guessed.
Hate to be a pedant (heck! no I don't!) but the future of the Lawn and any future development on it will be determined by TDC planning policies and not what you, me or anyone else might want or not want. If what is put forward doesn't comply with the policies it doesn't stand a chance of being approved.
Quick question: Are 'burneside' and 'Viaduct' one and the same person? They seem to have a similar outlook on life!
@Lynne, and if it does we could end up with a monstrosity! We must not lose sight of the fact that the planning officer was minded to approve the application. Whenever ( if ever) we get to a position of having plans for a replacement bandstand we should ensure that the decision is made by full committee not by one individual.
What a thoroughly unpleasant post by Burneside. We shouldn't be surprised though as its par for the course for him to be trolling on here. And we can guess who has pressed Agree on the lapdogs post...
On the subject of the pavilion, I'll say it again, more survey respondents were in favour of the proposed replacement than they were of either of the other two options.
And talking of the lawn being in "safe hands", at least it won't be in the hands of the ex-councillor who couldn't be bothered to get the TDC task force (or whatever it was called) that she was supposedly part of to meet to build foundations on the ground work prepared by Michael, Bob, other councillors and of course the Dawlish public. We are well rid of the poisonous Margaret Swift and her lapdog Bernard. Good riddance to them both.
For goodness sake, all I have said is we need to ensure any decisions about the replacement of the bandstand are taken by full committee and not left to an individual planning officer. I passionately believe that should happen.
If anyone is poisonous on here it really is Mrs C. A thoroughly unpleasant person.
PS and I bet I could name the three agrees on your abusive and poisonous post and be correct!
You haven't heard the last from me, Mrs C, not by a long chalk. What makes you think I am going away?
5 "friends", Margaret - and surely you don't want to lose your bet? People might think that you're all talk and no action...
Bernard, you're only on here to troll Michael and Bob in support of your sister - so yes, I expect to read less of your poisonous bile.
@Lynne and this site is self destroying because of the total lack of moderation. i personally am dumping it.
Lynne, that's what Burneside wants to achieve with his trolling. I apologise for feeding the troll.
Putting forward an opposing view is not trolling Mrs C, you really do need to go..........and read the definition. However, much of what you do is trolling and one example is your vile and viscious post yesterday.
Emopitt, I do not want or expect anyone to pay tribute to me. The peope who I count as my friends and those I associate with do not post on this forum and probably don't even read it.
Margaret, I've read the definition of a troll, and your brother fits the bill perfectly. Thanks for that. Still waiting for you to name the 6 "friends" it is now. Thanks again.
I wasn't talking about friends or associates, I meant voters who, presumably like me, wouldn't know one councillor from another, but make their judgements based on what they read here. Being a councillor surely requires you to keep your dignity, for the reputation of Dawlish at the very least. If it's not too impertinent, is there a reason why you're not standing this time?
@Emopitt I think if people base their judgements purely on reading this forum then that is really sad but also quite dangerous. The minutes of council meetings are a more accurate source of what councillors do, although the records do not usually record what councillors say. far better to attend meetings and see for yourself what goes on. i do not believe i have been undignified but some do not like challenge and questions being asked and therefore perceive it to be undignified to do so. sadly the same sometimes applied in the council chamber.
There are a number of reasons I am not standing this time, the main ones being my professional work commitments and wanting to spend more time with my mother whilst she is still with me. I honestly think it is better to do less but to do it well, so I will continue with some of my other voluntary activities but whilst I am still working I cannot devote the time to council duties that I would like to in order to do a really good job.
Well you've said it yourself - it's sad and dangerous to make judgements based on what people post on here, so perhaps you and anyone else who think it's okay to assassinate characters should rein in your comments on this site and be more respectful of others. Good luck, taking care of ageing parents is a very rewarding experience.
@ken, the user currently known as Mrs C is the cause of most of the problems on this forum. I've closed her/his account once again.