The first which lasted some while and included visual aid, was about the closure of the public lavatories. It seems that in this age of enlightenment it is possible to have a building which is uni-sex, has disablement access and baby changing facilities, is self cleaning and graffiti and vandal proof. The cost? Well about 24K but with the sale of part of the site (which is owned by Mid-Devon) or the whole if another site could be found, together with perhaps the charge of a bob a job, it might even make a profit. The gave the P.C. quite a lot to consider. Mr Bennett who made the presentation, and who lives next door in Fore Street was thanked for his very interesting proposition. Of course he has more than a passing interest and with people knocking on his door asking if they might use his facilities who wouldn't?

Then the headmaster of the Top School had come to spread the word about the school's ambition to have Specialist Status in Information & Communication Technology and Mathematics. Readers may remember that there was an appeal in February's edition of Spotlight. It's not too late if you wish to make a donation, the Parish Council itself cannot make a contribution for legal reasons. He is anxious that the ties between the school and the village should be strengthened and the school's facilities be made more widely available.

The report of the planning sub-committee on the ticklish planning application for three houses at the bottom of Coldharbour is a model of constructive criticism. It is to be hoped that Mid Devon will take full note. We are assured that should permission be granted, even with provisos, then it will be 'called in' for further investigation by the Council.

There was a jolly idea from Willand Parish Council. They are disappointed at the lack of police coverage (Uffculme gets even less than they do) and made a suggestion that the two of us should club together and spend £1,200 on a speed gun. After discussing who should have 'first go' it was pointed out that it could only be used by the police themselves. That put paid to any further interest.

The improvement scheme for The Square was reaffirmed; whatever that means, and there may be the chance of a mini-bus to take the youth of the village to the bright lights of Cullompton and its John Tallack Youth Centre.

There were 350 responses to the questionnaire on housing needs. It does not necessarily mean that the same number want houses. People are welcome, cars without garaging facilities are not and this is one of the most intractable  problems in our village.

There was a good response too for the Emergency leaflet. The amount of expertise in the village is quite astonishing, on paper that is. It is a pity that more of the experts don't come as spectators to the monthly Parish Council Meetings. It can get quite lonely at the back.

JBG

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