Queer goings-on in Colyton where the first public meeting to discuss developing a Neighbourhood Plan descender into chaos and must at times seemed like an episode of “Yes, Minister”.

According to the “View from Colyton” (see digital edition online) the first public meeting – where it was anticipated that people would be informed and a committee chosen – were told that the-committee-that-didn’t-yet-exist would be chaired by Parish Councillor Caroline Collier, who had been elected, in advance of the committee being constituted, by the parish council at an earlier meeting.

This news was met with cries of “Undemocratic” and with council Chairman Andrew Parr telling people “It’s the parish council’s committee” whereas, apparently, others in the room thought that the clue was in the name – and that the neighbourhood would be in charge – once a committee was constituted!

Mr Parr (husband of EDDC councillor Helen Parr) and Mrs Collier have been very, very long-standing members of the Parish Council.

It also transpired during the meeting that Mrs Parr, in 2011, had said that the area did not need a Neighbourhood Plan as the then (and still) emerging Local Plan would suffice. Her response when this was pointed out was “That was then and this is now”!

Many Neighbourhood Plan committees have few or no councillors on them so that the process can be seen to be fully inclusive and not responding to the wishes of one particular group and many are chaired by local people with no council background.

The need for Colyton Parish Council to own the process does not auger well for others who may have different views on development in the area, particularly when some councillors may also be Feoffeex and/or landowners and developers.