The meeting had been called by a number of residents including the Friends of East Budleigh Recreation Ground after exhausting  every other means of engaging with the Council. Over 100 residents were in attendance. Several East Devon District councillors and a Devon county councillor were also present.

 

Leading up to the vote of no-confidence, many issues and allegations were brought up by the residents as reasoning for their vote against the Council, principally a failure to observe their own codes of conduct.

 

Two days later at the Parish Council meeting it was announced that the chair of the Parish council had resigned. Amongst other items on the agenda the long running and emotive issue of restrictive use of dogs on the recreation ground was finally resolved through a vote by the councillors to shelve plans for any restrictions in favour of a voluntary community strategy to monitor and maintain the area.

 

A spokesman from the 'Friends group' said "The parish community has came together as a whole and made it very, very clear we're unhappy with what's currently going on."

 

He also added " I have to say, in all fairness,  the remaining council members have responded swiftly and correctly. There was a much more inclusive atmosphere at the last Parish Council meeting. We feel that  they now have a genuine will to see a positive way forwards and work with the village community.