Ed: This opinion article refers to residents' parking schemes for parts of Exmouth that were approved by Devon County Council in December after over 1,300 responses to a consultation in August.

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Residents' parking has been a hot topic in Exmouth long before I was a councillor, but events in recent years have served to prove just how controversial it has been.

I said in 2019 when I was elected this was something I'd like to get involved with, and have spent lots of time on it throughout the last four years.

And now, finally, for better or worse, a residents' parking scheme will be introduced in parts of Exmouth within the next year or so.

I'd like to thank our county council representatives for their work on this over the years - I just think they could have made their lives a whole lot easier.

I've tried not to take sides over this issue - I can see the merits of both sides of the argument.

I've just tried to keep people informed during what has been a chaotic and unwieldy process.

Without wishing to labour the point, I think the consultations were riddled with issues such as a bizarre zone numbering system that led to perplexed looks and a trip to the recycling bin when people received letters marked EX4 in big letters - 'But I live in EX8…this can't be for me.'

The biggest issue I've had is borne out by the number of emails I've had asking for explanations of a) what's going on, b) what stage of the process are we at? and c) how do I respond?

If people didn't see a particular news story or press release, they're none the wiser. And often, even if they are aware of what's going on, confusion reigned. Those tiny maps, for example. 

Hilariously, last week, I was asked by a resident 'Are we getting residents' parking? It's about time somebody started a campaign for it!'

I blame nobody in particular, but point to this as an example of something where, if done clearly, with good communication through a number of channels so everybody gets the information they need, and know how to respond to it, solid local democracy and decision making can occur.

This doesn't feel like that. 

I have received some communication from residents who are unhappy that the Lawn Road/ Madeira Villas side of the Exeter Road is not included.

Unfortunately, I have no answers other than to point you towards the reports for the HATOC committee that decided on this.

I wonder if public opinion in those areas would have been different if the facts about what these changes would mean were more freely spoken about by Devon County Council?

The public don't have time to sift through minutiae - they need clarity and quickly, if they are to make informed decisions when consulted about something.

Local democracy can't work if we appear reluctant to engage with the public. So, bearing that in mind, email me if you need to!