General Discussion

I've now received the Conservative leaflet for the town elections, and it makes some interesting promises that will be difficult to keep without greater support from Teignbridge.

They want to improve the Lawn - Hoorah.  District Cllr Stuart Barker came to the town council in February 2012 and promised us improvements.  Mention was made of £1 million investment in the town centre, if the grants could be found.   Over the years that followed, I asked repeatedly that the officers at Teignbridge be instructed to work on the external funding applications that are essential to bring in the funds to carry out these promises.   There was always something else that TDC ranked as greater priorities.

They want to replace the burnt down cafe at Coryton Cove - Hoorah.  We finally saw a draft planning application for the cafe back in February.  It wasn't great and needed improvement, but the town councillors urged TDC to press ahead with an outline bid so that the expected arguments from Network Rail about access for construction traffic along King's Walk can be thrashed out.  Two months later, it still hasn't been submitted.

We knew there won't be a replacement cafe built in time for the summer, but hoped construction work would happen in the Autumn to avoid the winter storms and ensure the cafe is ready for Easter next year.  The clock is ticking loudly now.

They want seats along the seafront at King's Walk  - Hoorah, but this one really gets my goat.   The Conservatives know that there have been arguments for two years now with Network Rail about this.  The Town Council offered to pay for 10 new seats along the seafront.  Network Rail refuse because of "Health and Safety".   Apparently seats would be used as launch pads to climb over the railings and tresspas on the line.   It has been pointed out repeatedly that seats used to be there and no mass carnage occured.  You also can access the railway line very easily at numerous points between the Warren and Teignmouth if you're stupid enough to want to do this.    The Conservative MP tried to get this ruling overturned and failed, so why promise something that can't be delivered?

They want a play park at Dawlish Warren - Hoorah, but the conservative administration at Forde House has refused money to help pay for this.   The Town Council is willing to put money into such a scheme, but it also needs funding from Teignbridge.   I advised the Traders Association to approach Teignbridge Council for financial help, and they were turned down flat.

"Conservative councillors care for their community"  I am willing to bet that every councillor in the land cares for their community.  Its a massive amount of work, and you would be foolish to give up so much time if you didn't care about making life better for your town and the people living there.

I wish good luck to everyone elected on May 7th, its a difficult job and sometimes the criticism goes beyond fair comment and that can be hard at times.  I'm sure that all 16 of the people elected on that day will do their best for the town, whatever their views on national politics.  I still hope for the day that wanting to make Dawlish better is the only criterion and everyone stands as Independent.