In this week's newsletter, Nub News brings you the latest updates from Honiton Town Council. 

These are the updates from a town management meeting held on 30 August 2023.

The meeting was attended by Cllr Tony McCollum (chairman), Cllr Steve Craddock, Cllr Nick Ingham, Cllr Andrew Pearsall and Cllr Robert Sexton. Cllr R Coombs attended via Zoom.

Bus Stop: Devon Country Council have rejected the council's application to move the bus stop to New Street because businesses on New Street need to use it for loading and unloading. The Market Superintendent has been asked if there is a suitable location closer to the market area which wouldn't cause an obstruction. Discussion on whether a ramp could be installed at the existing bus stop, which a member of the public has complained about. Cllr Coombs suggested the need for an additional bus stop between the library and the Air Ambulance shop stop.

All damaged bus shelters will eventually be replaced.

Streetscene: East Devon District Council (EDDC) are working through their list of items and work to look at in Honiton, with a deadline at the end of September.

Clapper Lane/Littletown School crossing: The work is scheduled for the October half-term and the road will be closed to allow the work to take place. Honiton Town Council have contributed to the payment of this crossing.

Access Ramp at Manor House: The ramp is still loose and the contractor has been contacted several times. It was stated that this problem is 'an accident waiting to happen' and discussion followed regarding whether a different contractor should be used, which was agreed to.

Parking Meter Working Group: An update will be given to the council soon.

High Street pavements: There are more than 130 loose pavement slabs on the High Street. They have been reported but they won't be fixed unless they are more than 20mm. The work is behind schedule and the work that has been done so far is 'diabolical' - National Grid have not replaced the slabs to a high standard. A discussion followed on whether the council should write to Devon County Council to express their concerns - this was agreed to.

Dowell Street corner: The skip will be removed soon.

Honiton Street Market: A discussion on the market and its perceived decline - there used to be roughly 20 stalls. Could gazebos be used and how could previous stall holders be encouraged to come back? More advertising and social media engagement is needed.

Monthly Farmers Market in Markarness Hall - the group supported this proposal and the recommendation will go for discussion at the full council meeting.

Christmas Market to coincide with turning on of the Christmas lights - the group supported this proposal and the recommendation will go for discussion at the full council meeting.

Street Art: Cllr Cloke sent a recent update and there are no current recommendations.

Cllr Brown has asked whether it would be possible to install another town map at the Railway Station car park, and could the council contribute £500 to this. Tony McCollum proposed this could possibly come out of the marketing budget, which will be put to the council at a later date.

Town Maintenance: The maintenance working group recommendation is that the Market Superintendent and the related team undertake graffiti removal training. Discussion followed on whether this is needed, so EDDC will be asked.

Request from member of the public for an update on a physical Tourist Information Centre: The previous information centre was closed down due to lack of funding. Cllr McCollum suggested various locations in town could distribute leaflets and maps (for example the Library, The Beehive and the Railway Station.)

Signs would be needed to indicate to tourists where they can find the information. The charity that run The Beehive are going to put together a proposal regarding how they can assist with this. Discussion over how various local towns have their own systems and some signs are paid for by the council and some by town councils.

The council recommended that a tourist map is produced by Honiton Town Council.

Other news:

A brief history of St. Paul's Church

Honiton: New group joins The Beehive

Honiton: Further train strikes to place next week