Special Report: Colyford and Colyton formally split with village to form own council

Colyford is to formally split from Colyton and get its own parish council in what has been described as a "once in a generation" opportunity for the village. 

The new Colyford Parish Council will come into legal effect on April 1 2023 with elections held the following month for seven members. 

Colyton Parish Council, which previously included Colyford, will also see its membership reduced from 13 to 11.

The separation comes after a Community Governance Review was launched, after 249 residents of Colyford signed a petition calling for their own council, as it had its "own identity and sense of place, and that community cohesion will be enhanced by having its own village council".

A recommendation from East Devon District Council's (EDDC) Cabinet to establish a new parish council in Colyford, and detailing a new boundary for the village, was approved at last week's full council meeting. 

But those against the separation did not give up without a fight, with the heated meeting shining a light on acrimonious feeling between the two sides and raising questions about what was and was not democratic.

Some members of Colyton Parish Council and East Devon said the proposals would unfairly leave Colyton with most of the area's assets to maintain, while losing £16,000 in the council tax precept from Colyford residents, as well as lucrative land in the change of boundary.

'Democracy has prevailed'

Ian Priestly, chair of Colyford Village Residents Association, which campaign for the separation, thanked EDDC officers and councillors that had supported the Community Governance Review (CGR), commenting: "They had to cut through a range of emotional issues and argument to recognise the facts and figures, and saw and hopefully believed in our vision for the future of Colyford. 

"Democracy quite rightly has prevailed and overcome any personal or political feelings. Our village's precious farmland has been sold to developers for housing over the years and we must accept everything that comes with that trade; it's not all about counting the money, there's always consequences and changes were inevitable. 

"Colyford has expanded very quickly over a relatively short period to over 800 people, making it the largest village in East Devon without its own parish council. Simply, we were allowed to get too big and that alone warrants a dedicated council.

"When any settlement is expanded like this, for better or worse, the dynamics change. The status quo has been ripped up through development and made it difficult for Colyton to now manage us effectively. 

"Colyford, provided we get the green light this evening, will need time to prepare to govern, without hindrance, hampering or heckling in anyway; we need to work together now in a professional manner and abide by this council's decision. 

"The creation of a new parish council is now hopefully happening and whilst I understand completely that not everyone is 100 per cent happy with the final decision, it needs to be accepted. We need to prepare and service the community without undermining or anymore ill feeling. 

"Colyton Parish Council will now have time to focus in greater detail on any adjustments and manage a less daunting size of a parish. 

"I urge you to listen to the advice of your Cabinet and trust their judgement. If you have been lobbied, please ignore the title tattle and trust your Cabinet; they have worked hard to reach their decision. The fate and welfare of Colyford and its 800 residents rests on tonight's decision."

'Once in a generation opportunity'

Julian Thompson, leader of the Colyford CGR Steering Group, added: "Democracy is a way of governing that depends on the will of the people and the key CGR issue is to restore democracy for Colyford with a new parish council – a once in a generation opportunity. 

"The current governance for Colyford has become systematically dysfunctional over time, is broken and cannot be fixed. Our community belief is that we have the skills, experience and competency to constitute and operate our own parish council. We also have the values and ambitions; we are prepared and determined. 

"Colyford has come of age and should be permitted, as its statutory right, to address pressing issues with our own funding. We wish to use our own identity, our heritage and our enthusiasm to deliver an effective and efficient parish council to restore democracy for our community. The challenge is affordable and can be delivered. 

"Whatever your tribe, this vote should not be political; this is a vote to support the will of the Colyford people to restore democracy for an historic, rural community of 800 that is one of the largest in East Devon without a council." 

Colyton parish councillor Alison Stenning raised concerns that three fields owned by Colyton Parish Council, on New Sidmouth Road, would be transferred to Colyford as a consequence of the proposed new boundary, the rent from which went directly towards the cost's of the town's cemetery.

"Colyton parish will end up footing the bill for all the amenities in Colyton, and there are many amenities, while residents of Colyford will still be able to enjoy them without contributing a single penny towards maintenance costs," she said. 

"In fact, Colyford will only have its small play parks and gateways to maintain so I really cannot see any reason for the transfer of these valuable assets to them. 

"In a time of scarce resources when everyone is short of money and people cannot afford to heat their homes, I urge you to reject splitting our parish as this will cost both the district council and everyone living in the present parish of Colyton a great deal of money which they don't have. No one wants a huge hike in their council tax bill. 

'Dividing friends and neighbours'

Cllr Stenning also raised issue with the questionnaire sent to residents as part of the Community Governance Review, saying: "Residents were not fully informed when the CGR questionnaire had to be filled in, thinking it was only a consultation and there would be a vote later when they had been fully informed of the effects of a split. 

"This is dividing friends and neighbours, particularly in Colyford, strangely enough. 

"Colyton Parish Council has four councillors from Colyford and they could have up to 13 if they were elected, and they are absolutely treated equally as we have always been one parish and Colyford has never been refused any reasonable requests. 

"I urge you not to split our parish, and please don't railroad through this important matter to all the residents of Colyton parish. 

Fellow parish councillor Joy Gardiner, read a statement on behalf of Colyton parish Council chair, Andrew Parr, who also raised concerns with the questionnaire.

His statement read: "The CGR questionnaire has conflicting evidence in the replies. A lot of people commented against the split; 195 comments made and 56 in favour. 

"Why were these comments ignored and when Colyton Parish Council asked for a proper ballot to establish clearly what the residents wanted, why was this refused? 

"Proceeding on these grounds will result in the acrimonious split between the communities, which have lived in harmony together for over 120 years.

"Colyton Parish Council will be left with all the financial responsibilities; 22 assets that have to be maintained, Colyford will have two. Why order a transfer of assets – the three fields – when Colyton Parish Council needs the money as they will lose £16,000 contribution from the Colyford residents to their precept? 

"The fields are worth £140,000 with an annual rent of £3,600. There is no need to transfer them simply because they are located within the Colyford suggested parish boundary. A new Colyford Village Council could sell this land."

Speaking on her own behalf as a Colyford resident, Cllr Gardiner added: "At the time when financial constraints and fiscal responsibility is in the forefront of the kinds of all councils, be it country, district or parish, it is not in the interest of Colyton or Colyford residents to split and form a second council. 

"The result of the two councils will be an increase in administrations costs and potentially an increase in council tax for all residents. The divisive action it will cause simply does justify the end results."

East Devon District Council leader, Paul Arnott, who represents the Coly Valley as a member of the Independent East Devon Alliance, and is also a member of Colyton Parish Council, then spoke publicly on the issue for the first time, saying: "I don't think I can stay silent after what I have just heard."

EDDC leader criticises parish council

He then launched a scathing attack on Colyton Parish Council, criticising it for its lack of diversity and its close connections to landowners and the Colyton Chamber of Feoffees. 

"I have seen great, hardworking representatives from the Colyford community being very poorly treated and disrespected at Colyton Parish Council," he said. 

Cllr Arnott also said that the Colyford Village Residents Association had been "wickedly abused". 

He defended how the Community Governance Review process had been carried out, saying that every household received a detailed consultation document and had the opportunity to have their say, but some parish councillors were "too indolent to respond and react", but were now trying to launch last minute objections. 

Cllr Philip Skinner (Conservative, Tale Vale) questioned why Cllr Arnott was allowed to give a "tirade of his view" at the meeting, when he had declared a personal interest in the matter at previous meetings. 

Officers explained he was able to speak on the matter but would then have to absent himself from the meeting, which Cllr Arnott later did before the matter was discussed by councillors. 

Cllr Vicky Johns (Independent, Ottery St Mary) later questioned why Cllr Helen Parr, who also represents Coly Valley as a Conservative and is wife of Colyton Parish Council chair, Andrew Parr, was allowed to comment and remain in the meeting for the discussion.

Cllr Helen Parr objected to Cllr Arnott's remarks, describing them as insulting, in poor taste and adding: "It most disrespectful to Colyton Parish Council and cast a slur on councillors and landowners". 

Cllr Parr said she was unable to support the proposals and complained that they had been added to the agenda at late notice. 

"This is a very important decision and will effect residents directly and financially through their council tax," she said.

"When we were first asked about this, we received a questionnaire; it wasn't a voting paper or ballot paper, it was a questionnaire. It nowhere says that if you give your views, this is your vote, in effect. 

"Is it democratic to ask people their views without any information and then rely on a tick box answer?

'What has Colyford been refused?'

Cllr Parr continued: "There was recently a by-election in Colyton for three new parish councillors and there was every chance for the Colyford Village Residents Association people to be elected, and one was. 

"It's extremely disrespectful for people to say they are not being represented and they want to restore democracy. It's highly ironic, they have four councillors on Colyton Parish Council. And when have reasonable requests from Colyford been refused? 

"Residents' council tax is going to be affected and the precept for Colyton Parish Council will be £16,000 less but the assets they have to maintain will remain the same. The income from fields is another £3,000 so that brings it up to almost £20,000 lost in one hit, it's quite unreasonable. 

"I'm convinced that the process is undemocratic, it is not good governance to in effect make people vote without telling them that they are voting, and to not give them a proper vote on something so important to this ward. 

"If it was truly what residents wanted Colyton Parish Council would have supported it but they do not think that this questionnaire shows the true feelings of residents, and I cannot support it."

Cllr Johns said the same thing happened when Ottery St Mary split with West Hill, which "took a large chunk of the precept with it". 

She continued: "But you get over that, you learn to deal with it. The idea of democracy is that everyone gets their say and if the majority say they want to split, who are we to tell them they can't?"

Cllr Philip Skinner said the case of Colyton and Colyford was very different to Ottery St Mary and West Hill because they were "two small villages that are more or less coalesced with one another". Colyton is in fact a town, although smaller that Ottery St Mary.

'Stronger together'

Cllr Andrew Moulding (Conservative, Axminster) said: "Colyton and Colyford are much stronger together. Many letters against the idea have been put forward and I do not think anyone wants to create a division between Colyton and Colyford. 

"There have been claims that under investment in Colyford has led to this proposal being brought forward; my submission is that nothing has been done by Colyton Parish Council to under invest in Colyford. 

"I think this submission would see assets of the parish council, which have been maintained by the parish council, being grabbed by the residents of Colyford who are in favour of this suggestions. 

"The boundary seems to be wrong and there's no reason why these areas of land should be stolen by unelected representatives. This should never happen."

Cllr Moulding called for no further progression on the matter until a proper ballot for residents of Colyton and Colyford was held, with full detail and financial information given, as he said there had been "no indication on the questionnaire that it would result in the separation of the two settlements".

Cllr Paul Hayward (Independent East Devon Alliance, Yarty), said: "This is about democracy and every member of the Colyton and Colyford community had the opportunity to respond. 

"Some issues generate an awful lot of community response and some, such as election we've all fought, are often though on an apathetic basis. We cannot force members of the public to be involved. 

"What I find dispiriting personally is the vitriolic enmity between neighbours and parish councillors who really are only there to serve the public good." 

Cllr Sarah Jackson (Independent East Devon Alliance, Axminster), added: "Those form Colyford feel that they have a separate identity to those from Colyton, and it doesn't matter if they are a town or a village; there are other villages which have separated because they feel they have two separate identities. 

"I compel members to really consider what voting against these recommendations would really mean, and that;'s disregarding the majority of people who responded to the initial consultation on whether or not they felt they had a unique identity."

It was eventually agreed to allow Colyford to form its own parish council with 28 councillors voting in favour. 

Calls for both parish councils to work together

Cllr Jackson, portfolio holder for democracy, transparency and communications, later said: "It is evident from the recent consultation that the residents of Colyford feel a sense of identity separate from that of Colyton, and a clear desire to be self-governed via the formation of a new parish council, and so I am pleased to see this decision which enables the communities of both Colyford and Colyton to move forward with complete autonomy. 

"I sincerely hope that both parish councils will work collaboratively where the need arises in the best interests of all of their residents.

"I'd like to thank everyone who took part in the consultations and governance review. I look forward to seeing the new parish councillors elected in May."

Visit www.eastdevon.gov.uk/colyford for more information.