The chairman of Kingsteignton Parish Council has spoken of her worry regarding the 'atmosphere of worry and mistrust' she feels is spreading through the village. Cllr Jill Morris' comments were made at the annual meeting of the parish council on Wednesday, during which she voted herself back into office. Using her casting vote, she saw off competition from Cllr Mike Walters for the chairman's seat after the first ballot resulted in a dead heat. The statute book was consulted and it was agreed that Cllr Morris was within her rights to vote for herself and so began her second term. In her speech as outgoing chairman, Cllr Morris voiced her concerns about the low morale among residents. 'It worries me, this atmosphere of worry and mistrust in the village,' she said. She attributed the fears to the Local Development Framework process and the prospect of new houses, factories and shops on the village's doorstep. 'It's been a difficult year in many ways,' she told her fellow councillors, and said the LDF and the 'northern option' had made life 'somewhat uncertain to say the least'. She talked of an atmosphere of change that 'we can't get to grips with' and revealed personal attacks had been made on her by some residents. 'I know exactly what it's like to be called a liar,' she said. 'You tell people you don't know something but they just won't believe you, but I can live with that.' In a bid to improve the prospects for the coming year she said the village must try to develop a positive attitude and that it was essential for everyone to work together. 'We must get the best possible solutions for the village,' she said. She hoped the newly-launched parish plan would help gel the fractured community. Cllr Edna Wickham has been re-appointed vice-chairman and thanked her colleagues for their support. She said that after a long illness last year she was feeling more like her usual self, and welcomed the second chance to serve.
