Councillors go on speed date

EXMOUTH’S Pauline Stott was one of 10 district councillors grilled by students at East Devon’s fifth ‘political speed dating’ event.

EXMOUTH’S Pauline Stott was one of 10 district councillors grilled by students at East Devon’s fifth ‘political speed dating’ event.

The event, organised by East Devon District Council’s democratic services team, gives councillors and young people an opportunity to find out a bit more about each other, their views and concerns.

Sixth form students from Sidmouth College questioned the councillors - normal speed dating rules applied, with students asking searching, quick-fire questions on subjects such as reducing the voting age to 16, the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and facilities for young people.

Each student scored their replies.

Councillors in the hot seat were Peter Bowden (Broadclyst), Graham Brown (Feniton and Buckerell), Iain Chubb (Newbridges), Roger Giles (Ottery St Mary Town), Mike Green (Beer and Branscombe), Douglas Hull (Axminster Town), Stephanie Jones (Seaton), Frances Newth (Sidmouth Town), Ken Potter (Newton Poppleford and Harpford), and Pauline Stott (Exmouth Halsdon).

A council spokesman said: “Students were encouraged to think about which councillor best represented their interests and those of their community. Voting at the end was for fun. However, there was blatant lobbying for votes by some Councillors”

The winner was Councillor Graham Brown, who was adorned with a crown and received a bunch of red (Poundland) roses.

He thanked Sidmouth College for hosting the event and everyone who had taken part so enthusiastically.