We write in response to Cllr Gail Everett’s letter (Free Press January 11) as chair of the local Conservatives, and her gushing celebration of a “great legacy” last year and the years before for Minehead Town Council.

There are many who don’t see 2018 as a heroic year at all for the council, which started with a controlling majority Conservative Party and an inner cabinet of little more than three people which did not allow democratic process and made countless unauthorised payments not voted by full council. 

As a grim external audit of their conduct loomed scarily on the horizon, the town clerk quit and left the area, leaving the council completely unable to function legally for three consecutively aborted monthly meetings.

Scores of residents suddenly started attending, even banging tables shouting “Out”, and on one occasion the then mayor Cllr Jean Parbrook booked two police officers to attend, perhaps fearing a riot.

People had cottoned on and democracy kicked in, most of the dissenters, ironically, naturally Conservatives.

Eventually, two highly skilled and temporary legal officers were drafted in.

The new Tory mayor, Cllr Norman Hercock, faced with this public horror, controversially turned independent to halt the public protests, with one or two other Tory colleagues also turning indie, and two new independents were on board thanks to by-elections in Alcombe.

The Conservatives had lost their majority just as the external auditors duly reported that their last few years of operation had been deemed “probably unlawful”. The auditors were being kind. 

The era of the former mayor telling fellow councillors to “sit down” (and basically shut up) was gladly over by summer.

As the Free Press reported during this mid-year period, Minehead Town Council was coming suddenly into near chaos, then democracy.

In summary it was not a “great” year for Minehead Town Council, as Mrs Everett says. But things are moving apace in the right direction, for the town and its visitors, with a more open view on our next group of councillors after the elections in May, whoever they may be.  

Things, as they say, can only get better, with fresh minds and new passion for open democracy and improved facilities for residenrts and tourism in the town.

Beresford Mandley and Michael Burke, Founders, Minehead Community Group