I Guess That It's Time Exeter City Council Had a Mention

Following Susan Lawrences' personal threats, that Exeter Parks Watch's 'departure' from involvement in Looe Road Park would also result in the exclusion of positive input by Exeter City Council's Parks and Opens Spaces Department Manager, Paul Faulkner, I contacted Paul McCormick, Exeter City Council's Director of Contracts and Services to clarify the situation.

I had a meeting with Paul McCormick at the Civic Centre and expressed my concerns that Susan Lawrence/EPW, in her opinion, was effectively controlling any service provision, in Looe Road Park, by Exeter City Council. He strenuously denied this and a subsequent on-site meeting was organised to discuss the future of the park. At this meeting it was obvious that Exeter City Council's preferred option would be for responsibility of this valuable community asset to be transferred to the residents. The option of setting up a 'Trust' to take control and management of the park was discussed and rejected by the local Community Association. It was agreed, between the Community Association and Paul McCormick, that a 'shared responsiblity' for the park would be a preferred and satisfactory option, to which he agreed.

Unfortunately, Exeter City Council's concept of shared responsibility and that of our community differ. Effectively, the Parks Department do the bare minimum. It appears that Susan Lawrence's threats became a reality.
Our community are willing to enter into any positive dialogue with any ECC department re improvements to our community.