Low poll turnout in vote for status quo

VOTERS in Brixham have decided to remain part of Torbay and not jump ship and join neighbouring South Hams Council.

But just 561 people out of a voting population of 12,500 in the town turned out to vote in the controversial parish poll.

Critics said the £15,000 it cost to stage the Parish Poll on Thursday would have been better spent on local projects such as the urgent repairs to the town’s Shoalstone open-air swimming pool. Brixham Town Council footed the bill for the poll to take place.

Nine polling stations around the town were open for five hours so that people could cast their votes. The paltry 4.46 per cent turnout prompted angry comments on social media.

On the question “Do you wish to leave the jurisdiction of Torbay Council?” there were 259 votes in favour and 302 against. On the question “Do you wish Brixham to join South Hams District Council?” there were also 259 votes in favour and this time 300 votes against.

The wording of the questions was agreed at a Brixham parish meeting on March 13, and there had been no indication from South Hams District Council whether it would be interested in taking responsibility for Brixham if it did want to leave the control of Torbay.

The poll was triggered by a request from 11 electors. The proposer of the first question was current Brixham Town Council member Paul Addison, while the second was proposed by local resident Richard Ryl.

A number of people reacted to the result, and the turnout, online. One comment read: “Brixham has come up trumps again”, while another said of the cost: “What a waste.”

Another angry commentator wrote: “Any councillor voting to hold the poll should resign.”

Cllr Mike Morey, an Independent member of the Torbay Council Cabinet and a Brixham councillor with 40 years local government experience, wrote: “Serious questions must now be asked on this process which has wasted thousands of pounds of Brixham residents’ money on a poll for which there was clearly no appetite.

“Councillors of the Town Council who called for a Parish Poll should now consider their position. Once the dust has settled, we must all work for the benefit of our town.”