MEMBERS of Holsworthy Town Council were shocked when they heard on Wednesday, Septemebr 6, during a full council meeting, that Torridge District Council (TDC) had turned down their request to have one of their allotted days of free parking as two half days without giving a reason.

Every year TDC provide each town in its district with two free days of parking, to be taken on dates chosen by each town council to coincide with major community events.

Holsworthy Town Council queried whether it would be possible for them to take two half days of free parking instead of a full day as parking in the town’s Manor car park is already free on a Saturday afternoon from 12pm until 8am each Monday.

The town council approached the district council to see if this would be possible.

Town clerk Vanessa Saunders told the council: “TDC give us two days free parking each year — we want to use one on a Saturday but that would mean we only get half a day because parking in the afternoon is free.

“We have had two half days in the past, but that was under special circumstances.”

When asked what response the council had received from TDC, Ms Saunders said: “No. They simply replied ‘no’.”

Mayor Jon Hutchings asked: “What, so we were given no reason?”

Ms Saunders said no reason had been given.

Cllr John Sanders said: “Shouldn’t our district councillors be arguing this for us — that is what they are there for after all.”

The council agreed to contact TDC again to see if an agreement could be reached.