NEWTON Abbot’s Annual Town Meeting proved so successful that another chance to meet councillors and officers is being planned for October.

Saturday’s town centre event was ‘so good, we’re doing it twice’.

All communities are obliged to stage meetings but they are usually held in council offices at unpopular times so are poorly attended.

Since 2011 Newton Abbot’s has been held in the town centre on a Saturday morning and this year dozens of people stopped to comment, ask questions, and complete a questionnaire.

Mayor Cllr Colin Parker, whose idea it was to take the event outdoors 14 years ago, was delighted with the level of engagement.

He said: ‘It’s been tremendously busy. We’ve had lots of people, lots of positive remarks, liking what we’re doing.

‘Yes, there have been a few comments asking for improvements but some things are out of our control.

‘But people like our events, particularly the music and they’d like more of that.’

Passers by were asked about their knowledge of the Local Government review and its possible impact on services if district and county councils are scrapped.

Cllr Parker added: ’Quite a few people weren’t aware of the review and I think there has been a bit of confusion.

‘One thing was clear, they want us to work even harder to maintain the town’s appearance and look after assets better and that’s certainly something we want to do if it’s affordable.

‘Overall, I think people would like more to come under our control.’

Resident Stuart Frisby, said moves to end the ‘closed club’ of local authority decision-making was welcome

‘Trying to engage people in local democracy is always a good thing,’ he said.

‘Anything that demonstrates people are not only invested in the outcome but are able to invest in the process has to be a good thing.’

Cllr Parker confirmed a second town meeting would take place in October.

‘Like they say in the song, it’s so good we’re going to do it twice,’ he said.