CAMPAIGNERS in Salcombe are calling for a 35 per cent ‘block vote’ to be given to town and parish councils over future planning applications. The feeling among many councillors is that when a parish or town council submit a decision regarding a planning application, it is often ignored by local planning authorities. Some councillors have quit due to frustration at their inability to change things in their community. A public meeting was held in Salcombe last week to discuss petitioning parliament for further empowerment of local communities. The grassroots, citizens’ campaign calls for town and parish councils to be given a 35% stake in decision-making processes. The campaign hopes to build on The Localism Act of 2011 - arguing that for ‘empowerment’ to be meaningful, it must allow town and parish councils to have ‘stakeholder’ status in planning decisions made at district and county council levels. The campaign calls for an upgrading of the status given to town and parish councils through the introduction of a ‘block vote’ of 35%.

Read more in the Kingsbridge & Salcombe Gazette.