WATCH: Interview with Honiton Mayor and Deputy Mayor

Honiton Nub News spoke to Town Mayor, John Zarczynski and newly appointed Deputy Mayor Carol Gilson, to hear their views on the current situation at Honiton Town Council.

The council has been faced with a number of challenges both in recent times, and historically, with high-profile disputes and public concern over finances.

John and Carol were asked about last Monday's virtual council meeting - the first that has been held since lockdown in March. John expressed that he was 'happy' with the result, reflecting that it had gone 'better than expected' for a first attempt.

Carol discussed her reasons for being absent when a vote was called and explained that her 'disability and a panic attack' had caused the disruption.

They were also asked about the seven resignations already this year, as reported by Honiton Nub News:

Councillor Jason Hannay resigned on May 11, joining his brother Nathan Hannay who resigned earlier this year.

Former deputy mayor Duncan Sheridan-Shaw resigned on April 27.

James Wyatt quit at beginning of June, with Ray Hanratty and Terry Darrant handing in their resignations two days later.

John told us that this was mostly to do with councillors who had been co-opted (voted in by council members as opposed to publicly elected) and connected to a small faction within the council who hold 'personal agendas'.

When probed about the fact that allegations of bullying have been made by a number of former councillors, he said categorically that there was 'no bullying at Honiton Town Council' and challenged anyone to supply any such evidence.

Back in February, Nub News investigated council expenditures, using Freedom Of Information requests to compare three local councils. It found that Honiton Town Council had spent £121,817 on legal costs since 2015. "To put the figure into perspective, during the same period Exmouth and Sidmouth Town Councils spent a combined figure of £7,984, a difference of £113,833."

John explained: "Unfortunately Honiton Town Council was subject to a Judicial Review when a new council was elected in 2015, this imposed a sanction on a serving councillor that were ruled unlawful by the courts.

"I must point out the councillor subject to unlawful sanctions paid all his own legal fees inclusive of court cost out of his own personal finances."

Both John and Carol are optimistic about the future of Honiton Town Council and are working closely with the community and local businesses.