THE first informal meet and greet session held by Holsworthy Town Council on November 6 was said to be ‘productive’ with a number of local residents attending to voice their concerns and ideas.

Town councillor Nigel Kenneally requested a meet and greet session be set up during a recent town council meeting. Following interest from other councillors Cllr Kenneally got the ball rolling and was pleased to welcome members of the public into the council offices for two, one-hour sessions from midday to 1pm and 5pm to 6pm. There was also an opportunity to speak to fellow town councillor Jon Hutchings who also represents Holsworthy on Torridge District Council.

Cllr Kenneally said: “Today [November 6] we had our first ‘meet and greet’ session and had a really productive day. We listened to, and had great discussions with Holsworthy Primary PTA and the Holsworthy Day Care Companions. Hopefully some positive outcomes can be achieved from what we talked about.

“I asked for these meetings to be put together, so you the people of Holsworthy could start having a closer and more transparent relationship with us (Holsworthy Town Council), and I hope that these ‘meet and greet’ sessions will be the first step of many on the way to achieving that.

“I would also like to thank Torridge District Councillor Jon Hutchings for joining me today as well, his experience and expertise were invaluable — though he did eat most of the biscuits!

“Thank you, and I hope to meet many more of you over the coming meetings.”

The Friends of Holsworthy Primary School were pleased to have the opportunity to speak to a local councillor and Tracey Webster and Angela Scarsbrook went along as representatives to talk about a potential bus shelter for the school. Angela said: “Tracey Webster and myself attended to discuss the possibility of installing a bus shelter for the primary school children who come in from outer areas to protect them from adverse weather. Both Jon and Nigel were very engaging and helpful.

“They seemed really interested in what we were trying to achieve. They have given us some solid advice and details of how we approach this. They both offered to help us in any way they can not just in terms of the bus shelter but what we as a new recent PTA body are trying to achieve as a whole. We left the meeting feeling very positive.”

The Holsworthy Day Companions sent along two representatives to speak to the councillors about transportation issues.

A spokesperson said: “Anne and Peter attended the meet and greet session with Cllr Nigel Kenneally and Jon Hutchings today on the Holsworthy Day Companions clients’ behalf to highlight the problems surrounding suitable transport in and around Holsworthy, especially for the more mature generation with mobility etc., issues who want to use such services as we provide and other like services.

“We have found this especially difficult since the mini bus that the old Holsworthy Day Centre used via Torridge District Council and Social Services was withdrawn by them in 2016.

“We would like to thank both Nigel and Jon for their time (considerably longer than we should have had I suspect!) in listening to our concerns and for their helpful suggestions.”

It is hoped the meet and greet format will continue into the future to offer residents who are unable to attend monthly council meetings the opportunity to have their voices heard and raise concerns or suggest ideas to improve their town.