Bovey Tracey town councillors want to offer a job to Nicola Bulbeck, the new chief executive at Teignbridge. 'The new CEO said she wants to get her hands dirty – Heathfield would be a good place to start,' said Cllr Alan Griesiell at Monday's council meeting.
Councillors were discussing the problems experienced by Heathfield. Litter, dogs' excreta, brambles and overgrown, ill-tended public areas created a tatty environment which discourages residents, the council was told. Clerk Terry Westwood produced photographs he had taken of certain areas of Heathfield that clearly showed the problems.
'The Cannon Road footpath was so messy it was difficult to walk along,' said Mr Westwood. 'Heath Close had not been litter-picked for two weeks, and there was dogs' excreta all over the play area.'
Teignbridge Council is responsible for cleaning Heathfield, which, councillors were reminded, is part of Bovey Tracey. Heathfield is mechanically swept every 28 or 56 days; litter is sometimes picked from the play park, and regularly cleared from Battle Road, the link path from Cannon Road to Battle Road and the footpath, according to Teignbridge.
'The Teignbridge play area was refurbished for £28,000 about a year ago. Now there's nothing to show for it. The fencing and general appearance is one of neglect,' said the mayor, Cllr Anna Klinkenberg.
'I was appalled to see dog faeces and litter everywhere,' said Mr Westwood. 'Teignbridge is clearly not doing its job properly.'
Councillors discussed the problems Heathfield residents faced – the industrial estate, heavy lorries passing through residential areas, litter caused by industrial use, an environment neglected for many years and a lack of activities for children in the area.
'The town clerk has pursued cleanliness in Heathfield vigorously,' said Cllr Klinkenberg. 'it's a shame other statutory bodies haven't put as much effort in. Heathfield falls short of what we should be achieving.'
Councillors are planning to hold a litter-pick in Heathfield soon. 'If we start the ball rolling, residents should take it up and and show pride in their neighbourhood,' said Cllr Avril Kerswell.