The state of the Bridle Path was discussed and Councillor Williams undertook to see how far the negotiations over its completeness or otherwise were progressing, the Chairman and Mr Derek Parsons not having received any responses to their many telephone calls.

20 out of 25 questionnaires (distributed by Mr Graham Salter) regarding the bus service had been received and the Chairman took them to forward to the bus company.

Following many concerns, it was decided at the November Parish Council Meeting to invite Mr Crudge to this meeting. The headmaster of Thurlbear School was invited to explain the School Policy as it applied to school transport and parents cars. He explained that parents were continually being advised to drive and park sensibly and that pupils were encouraged to use public transport wherever possible. But he had no powers to order them to do so in any way. He also explained that the bus company sent out whichever vehicle was convenient to them and had no influence over the size providing it was big enough. He also reminded us that children were no longer allowed to pour onto a bus ‘willy nilly’ and one child had to have one seat. Small children were barely visible and suggested that observers were mistaken in believing the buses carried few children. As the policy had been formulated with the help of the local police, Mr Crudge felt that all was being done in the circumstances and asked for particular patience over the next few months while the new building was being erected and off road parking was restricted. He also suggested school start and finish times, which were always busy could be avoided on most occasions wherever possible.

The Clerk had attended a meeting in TDBC specially arranged to explain the finer points of the new Code of Conduct for Parish Councillors. On first reading they had appeared onerous and intrusive but further careful interpretation had reduced their content to meaningful documents which most councillors would not object to signing.

A certain amount of ill feeling was created at the meeting as members of the public were unaware of Parish Council Meeting procedure regarding public speaking. Both Mr. David Grieg and Councillor John Williams reinforced the Chairman’s explanation for refusing public debate on demand, and it was suggested that TDBC’s example of ‘Public Question Time’ be introduced: three minutes per person, preferably at the beginning of the meeting, or better still ask the Clerk to place the matter on the agenda (giving at least three days notice).

The next meeting was arranged for Wednesday 1st May 2002 in the Village Hall.