The concerns of demonstrators outside Knowle Council Chamber tonight were also voiced by some Councillors at this evening’s meeting. In a recorded vote (details to follow), the Full Council voted by 26 votes to 22, with one curious abstention, in favour of postponing a decision on a proposed 12-month trial period of what some regard as “restrictive and prescriptive” new rules for public speaking. A proposal by Councillor Claire Wright set in motion a lengthy debate, which led to a majority vote for the matter to be referred for examination to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the first time. (It had so far only been before the Standards Committee).

Some of the issues, which apply to the whole of East Devon, are described in this letter from a Colyford correspondent :right to speak april 14 .