East Devon District Council have officially received a petition signed by a significant proportion of the Honiton electorate, calling for a Community Governance Review of Honiton Town Council.

It follows a campaign by a group of local residents, known collectively as Honiton Forward, who are unhappy with how the town council operates.

First known time the democratic process has been exercised

The 2007 Local Government and Public Involvement in Health act gives local authorities the power to review arrangements at town council, if more than 7.5 per cent of the electorate are behind it.

In Honiton this equates to approximately 700 signatories, whereas the petition has over 1,400.

It should also be noted that this democratic process has not knowingly ever been carried out before in the UK, so any decision made in response to the petition will be unprecedented.

Speech by Lisa Beigan presenting the petition

Honiton resident and business owner, Lisa Beigan, addressed EDDC councillors at a meeting held online yesterday evening (Dec 9). This followed a physical handing-in of the petition at Blackdown House the day before.

Speaking 'on behalf of Honiton residents' she said: "Our mission is to ensure that Honiton is an inclusive community where everyone wants to live and work because; the wellbeing of residents is prioritised, the environment is sustainable, the economy is vibrant, everyone is safe, and life is fun.

"A petition signed by approximately 1,400 local residents has been lodged with your Democratic Services Officers.

"It calls on you to undertake a Community Governance Review in Honiton to rectify the appalling undemocratic situation that has taken hold within Honiton Town Council.

"The routine lack of transparency, the disdain for residents' views and the regular flouting of the Nolan principles, show it is incapable of serving Honiton residents.

"I do not propose to go through a list of all the outrages that have occurred in Honiton Town Council caused by this self-serving group.

"We believe that the current town council, which has no shred of a mandate from electors, has completely failed to deliver a sense of civic values, responsibility, pride, positivity and local distinctiveness which is reflective of the identities and interests of the Honiton community.

"The 2007 Local Government and Public Involvement in Health act gives you the power to establish a governance arrangement which specifically addresses those things.

"In fact, if more than 7.5 per cent of electors petition you to review those arrangements you have a duty to respond. As you can see, a lot more than that have signed the petition.

"I should emphasise that Honiton Forward is not a political campaign, unless you regard making a community the best that it can possibly be as politically contentious.

"We support and work with many groups that make Honiton a better place to live.

"We aim to provide an inclusive viewpoint in which all members of the community will feel they belong.

"This includes mental wellbeing support, signposting for local services and support groups and organising events that unite the town.

"We seek to work alongside a town council.

"Our sole aim in raising this petition is to ensure that Honiton residents have a town council which is accountable to them and has a constructive programme of work aimed at serving them.

"We want to restore the council through a properly contested election so that everyone who claims to represent the community has a mandate to be there.

"If the current group believe that what they do is good for the community, then let them stand for election and make their case.

"In March of this year, the Honiton community first called on its town council to facilitate a new election and while a majority of councillors responded by stepping down, these remaining few have refused to respond.

"Now Honiton appeals to you. Those who oppose the will of residents may try to argue that you do not have the power to make a fresh start in Honiton.

"They will say you should not interfere with the workings of another council and, generally speaking, that is probably a sensible approach.

"However, the 2007 act gives you the powers to ensure good governance arrangements in Honiton.

"Unless you act, residents will have no other means to transform the situation until 2023, by which time who knows what damage will have been done.

"We are all living in difficult times and now more than ever community spirit, support, working together as a community and positive and diverse attitudes should be a priority.

"We put it to you that if this situation does not warrant the use of your

powers then it is difficult to imagine a situation anywhere that does.

"The people of Honiton look to you to do the right thing and bring about a fresh start in their council and their community."

Watch the meeting in full

Click here to watch the council meeting.