27th November 1998 Dear RogerReading between the lines, it does not seem that our County Councillor is anxious to reopen this can of worms. I responded on behalf of the Referendum Group shortly before the count:Bedford Square Referendum Thank you for your recent letter signed by a composite of Town Councillors. Firstly, I have to decline your kind invitation to attend "The Count" as I am scheduled to be at County Hall for all of that day and evening. With reference to your request to make the results known to the Partnership Committee, this is less straighforward. I have consulted Officers - both legal and otherwise - at both Borough and County Council. They have advised me that it is no longer a Partnership matter. The reason for this is because the whole issue has been through the committee cycle at West Devon with overwhelming approval. Likewise it was passed on to the Partnership Committee with the same result. Finally, the recommendation from Partnership went through the Committee Cycle at County Hall and the confirmed proposals have now been passed on to the Environment Directorate for implementation. Can I suggest that once you have the results you pass them direct to Mr Edward Chorlton the County Environment Director.Yours sincerely, Roy Cook
2 December 1998 Dear RoyThere the matter rests as at 5 Dec 98.Bedford Square Referendum Thank you for your letter of 27 November. I am sorry that you are unable to be at the count. Of course, I understand that the County Council keeps you very busy. Nevertheless, I completely reject the notion that you have no further role to play, and that your constituents, come of whom I represent, now have recourse only to Mr Chorlton. He is merely a functionary, and you know perfectly well that he is bound by the current policy of the County Council. He cannot help us. Only you can. It is now your clear duty as our elected representative, to represent your constituents' views to the County Council. I call on you again to undertake to use your powers as our County Councillor and as Chairman of the West Devon Partnership Committee to bring the result of the Referendum to the County Council and to leave no stone unturned in your efforts to ensure that the council's policy correctly reflects your constituents' wishes as indicated by the Referendum. Yours sincerely Roger W Mathew for the Bedford Square Referendum Group
Updated 5 Dec 98