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SOUL & S BLUES STAR ER TH COME TOGE FF -O E N O FOR CONCERT PAGE 14 FOR LYME REGIS, UPLYME, CHARMOUTH & THE AXE VALLEY ● FORTNIGHTLY ● OCTOBER 14 2022
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Huge levels of E. coli found in River Lim EXTREMELY high levels of potentially dangerous faecal bacteria have been found in the River Lim and the main beach in Lyme Regis is now being considered for downgrading in terms of bathing water quality. These were the findings of a Freedom of Information request, submitted from environmental campaign group Turn Lyme Green to the Environment Agency. REPORT, PAGE 6
Lyme not sufficiently prioritised by police
WEST Dorset MP Chris Loder has said he does not believe that Dorset Police has “sufficiently prioritised Lyme Regis” to resolve ongoing concerns over anti-social behaviour and drug crime. The Conservative MP said that recent incidents, an incremental increase in violent crime and levels of policing in Lyme Regis gave him “real cause for concern”. REPORT, PAGE 8
Artisan Florist
Wild and Seasonal
Popular self-serve flower shed at 18 Woodmead Road, Lyme Regis DT7 3AD
Three friends from Martock – Nick Perry, Mark Farrell and Davey Thomas – walked the 28-mile Liberty Trail from Ham Hill, in Somerset, to Lyme Regis and donated almost £500 to the local lifeboat crew on their arrival. See page 12 for the latest news from Lyme Regis lifeboat crew. Photo credit: RNLI, Lyme Regis
Council in trouble again
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TOWN CLERK REPRIMANDS COUNCILLORS FOR BEHAVIOUR IN ANNUAL REPORT LYME Regis town councillors have been warned for the second year running that their own behaviour is one of the biggest risks faced by the council.
In his annual report on risk management, town clerk John Wright said that the behaviour of some members was affecting the well-being, participation and decision-making abilities of other councillors. He said that some members did not recognise that their own behaviour was causing issues, and
FRANCESCA EVANS
francesca@lyme-online.co.uk this was despite all members accepting collective ‘rules’ about behaviour at an away day last summer, and subsequent reminders from the clerk. The latest warning comes after months of bickering, personal disputes, walk-outs and ‘resignations’ – although two members who announced their intention to resign last March, Cllr Belinda Bawden and Brian Larcombe, have still yet to officially stand down and remain in office.
The town clerk issued a similar report in October last year and later went on to warn councillors that continuous arguments over the management and funding of community interest company LymeForward at the end of the 2021 had the potential to “cripple” the council. The feud split the council and led Cllr Bawden to say she felt “distressed, embarrassed and unsafe” at meetings. Accusations of personal attacks and lying were made on both sides. In 2021, the town clerk revealed that com-
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