Concerns have been raised over how a town hall is being promoted after images shared online prompted questions from residents about the building’s intended use.
A post circulating on social media questioned whether recent “marketing” photographs linked to Lynton Town Hall reflected the purpose of a communications role previously described as supporting weddings, parties, community events and income generation.
The post stated: “Residents were told the new communications role would help promote Lynton Town Hall for weddings, parties, community events and income generation.”
It continued: “And yet some of the ‘marketing’ images now surfacing make the hall look less like a welcoming venue and more like the backdrop for a moody fashion shoot.”
The author added: “Is this what the mayor and council had in mind for the role?
“If these were official promotional images, someone should explain the strategy.
“If they were not, then residents are entitled to ask why a precept-funded communications role appears to have involved using the town hall in this way at all.
“This is not prudery. It is a question of judgement, priorities and public value.”
The post concluded by inviting a response from councillors, stating that “any explanation would be very welcome”.
In response, photographer Luke Anthony said the images were intended to highlight the town hall as a hireable space for creative industries.
Luke said: “I photographed this and it was done to showcase the town hall as a viable, and really cool, place for brands, filmmakers, photographers etc to hire out to be the backdrop for fashion shoots, music videos etc during times when it would otherwise be empty.”
He added that venues “all over the country need to adapt to stay relevant” and said the town hall could not rely on occasional classes or sessions alone to generate sufficient income.
Luke said: “I think you will agree that it is a great location for a photoshoot, or the backdrop for some filming, and a very unique space that should be celebrated in lots of ways.”
He also addressed criticism of the imagery, describing one comment as “highly offensive to both myself and the professional model who did not have to give up her time free of charge to do this”.
Luke added: “This is a pretty standard fashion shoot by today’s standards so I am not sure what you are finding offensive about this.
“Again, it is 2026, not 1926, things have changed.”
He said he would not be engaging further with the discussion.
We’ve installed Swift nest boxes on buildings at County Hall in Exeter and at the Grand Western Canal in Tiverton to help summer visitors find safe nesting sites as numbers continue to fall nationwide.
It’s all part of our scheme to support swifts – one of the UK’s most distinctive birds – and follows a decision last year to install swift nest boxes across our estate.
The RSPB say that Swifts are on the UK’s Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. For every ten Swifts zooming across our skies in 1995, there were only about three by 2022.
Swifts typically arrive in late April and May after migrating around 3,400 miles from Africa, often stopping to refuel in countries such as Portugal and France.
They are well known for their fast, acrobatic flights and the high-pitched calls that mark the start of summer.
Because swifts stay for only a few months, it is essential that they find a nesting site quickly. Numbers have fallen significantly in the last decade, and one of the main reasons is thought to be the loss of nesting spaces.
Swifts nest in small gaps and cavities in buildings and are faithful to their sites, returning year after year.
When repairs block access points – for example during roof works or when soffits are replaced – birds can be forced to search for new sites at short notice.
We’ve already installed swift boxes in the bell tower at County Hall, Exeter.
Swifts have been seen visiting in recent years and may have nested. The Council is now expanding the scheme by installing additional boxes on other buildings when maintenance work is taking place and scaffolding is already in place.
The first new boxes have been fitted on another County Hall building, which the Council hopes will become an important nesting location, and at the Grand Western Canal offices. Boxes are also being provided for bats, house martins and sparrows.
Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Bio-diversity, said: “Swifts are one of the great sounds of a Devon summer, but they can only breed successfully if they can find a suitable nest site quickly. By fitting swift boxes when we’re already carrying out building maintenance, we’re making a simple, practical change that can make a real difference for local wildlife.”
Residents and businesses can also help by installing swift boxes, reporting swift sightings and raising awareness. Find out more at the Devon Swift Project and on the RSPB website: Swift Bird Facts | Apus Apus.
A Devon sex offender targeted vulnerable young girls online and incited them into sharing degrading sexual content and carrying out self-harm.
Miles Goninon, 29, was also found in possession of thousands of indecent images and videos of children spanning all three categories.
Goninon, from the Winkleigh area of Devon, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday 23 April after pleading guilty to 25 offences including possession and distribution of indecent images of children (all categories), engaging in sexual communications with children and causing a child to engage in a sexual act.
Goninon was jailed for 12 years. He was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order until further order and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
The court heard how Goninon targeted numerous vulnerable young girls online through Snapchat, gaining their trust before abusing them.
The offending came to light when Police received intelligence reporting that a user of a Snapchat account associated with Goninon’s email address had engaged in conversation with a child online and asked her for an indecent video of herself.
The account was traced to Goninon’s home address and in June 2024 officers executed a warrant and arrested Goninon.
As a result of the warrant, a large number of devices were seized and later found to contain a huge catalogue of troubling child sex abuse material and explicit conversations with children.
Investigation showed that Goninon was operating multiple Snapchat accounts pretending to be teenagers and had also distributed child abuse material to others.
Goninon was found in possession of hundreds of indecent videos and images of victims that he had requested and filmed virtually himself.
Some of the victims were identified from their Snapchat usernames and home visits then carried out by police. Victims of Goninon were placed around the world. Many of not been identified.
Goninon denied any criminal wrongdoing in his interviews.
The sentencing judge described Goninon as taking no responsibility for the horrendous impact his crimes had on his victims and showing very limited empathy.
Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Simon Foster said: “This was a complex and extremely disturbing investigation led by the Devon and Cornwall Paedophile Online Investigation Team.
“The officers involved have shown incredible dedication to identify and safeguard as many children as possible.
“Due to the nature of his offending, our specialist officers had to examine a huge amount of traumatic material to ensure all lines of enquiry were pursued.
“Miles Goninon showed no remorse or care for his victims and was driven by his sadistic desires to harm children.
“We welcome today’s sentence and hope this conviction serves as a stark warning to those with an unlawfully blurred view of consent and the wider implications of the sexual abuse of children.
“I would also like to thank all the identified victims in this case for their bravery and courage in coming forward. It’s not an easy thing to disclose something very personal to you, particularly when it relates to sexual offences.
“I hope this investigation highlights that the police take sexual allegations seriously, you will be believed, and we will always support you.
“We believe there are still hundreds of victims targeted by Miles Goninon that our specialist victim ID officers continue to try and identify.
“He often used his true name as usernames so if anyone feels they have been targeted by his offending, please get in contact so we can support you.
“We will never stop investigating online offences to safeguard children and protect the public from those who seek to hurt children. For those tempted to engage in this type of behaviour, our message is simple: we are watching you, you will be caught, and you can expect a knock at the door from us very soon.”
Support available
If you have been affected by this article there is support available.
You can visit victimcare-dc.org to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system.
You can also call Victim Support on 0808 1689 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.
If you suspect a child is in immediate danger from sexual abuse or exploitation call 999 now. If it’s not an emergency please use the “Report” button on our website www.devon-cornwall.police.uk or call 101. You can report child sexual abuse anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
A vape shop owner who sexually assaulted a teenager in his shop in Paignton has been jailed.
Janpal Singh, 27 of High Street, Exeter, was found guilty of sexual assault against a 13-year-old girl and sentenced to six years and eight months in prison at Plymouth Crown Court today, Thursday 23 April.
Singh was also given a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the National Sex Offender Register
The court heard that Signh had owned a phone repair and vape shop called ‘Fone Fix’ on Victoria Street.
The incident happened in 2023, with the victim being just 13 years old. She had been in Singh’s shop and attempted to take a vape without paying for it. She was then detained by Singh who pushed her towards the back of the shop behind the counter and subjected her to a sexual assault.
The victim managed to flee the shop and reported the incident to police.
Following a trial at Plymouth Crown Court, Singh was found guilty of sexual assault against the victim on 11th November 2025.
Detective Constable Rachael Delaney said: “Firstly I wish to praise the courage of the victim who has demonstrated enormous strength throughout.
“I sincerely hope that today’s outcome will encourage others to come forward to report sexual abuse and gives them the confidence to know that they will be believed and listened to.”
It is important to note that survivors of sexual offences are protected by law and have life-long anonymity.
Support available
If you or someone you know has been a victim of rape or sexual assault, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency. You can also report information and crimes on our website.
Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
There are lots of organisations and support agencies available across Devon and Cornwall that can help provide support.
For more information on rape and serious sexual assault and the support services available, please visit our support pages by clicking here.
Advice and support is also offered by our partner agencies: • National Rape Crisis Helpline 0808 802 9999 • Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) 0300 3034626
Victim care
If you have been affected by crime, please visit Home – Victim Care Devon & Cornwall (victimcare-dc.org) to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system. You can also call Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.
Police continue to crack down on speeding motorists and other driving offences in an effort to make the roads of South Devon safer.
Officers carried out an operation from 5pm on Friday 17 April to 3am on Saturday 18 April.
Inspector Wes Watkins, of Devon & Cornwall Police, helped organise the operation and took part. He said: “This was another successful road safety initiative and we stopped a total of 33 vehicles. The vast majority of drivers stick to the rules and stay safe but there are some who flout the law and we want them to know they will not get away with it. They are putting themselves and other road users in danger by taking risks.”
Devon & Cornwall Police focus on saving lives and preventing the Fatal Five driving offences with plenty of positive engagement with drivers.
The Fatal Five are:
Driving while distracted
Speeding
Driving without a seatbelt
Drink/drug drive
Being unfit to drive
Six tickets were issued for:
Driving at 42mph in a 30mph zone – issued by RPU in South Hams
Driving at 100mph in 70mph zone – issues by Patrol on the A38 Ivybridge
Driving at 117mph in a 70mph zone – issued on the M5 by the Road Policing Unit
Number plate not conforming – issued by Patrol in Newton Abbot
No insurance and driving otherwise in accordance with a licence – Torquay
No insurance – issued by Specials (volunteer officers) with support from Inspector Wes Watkins – Chudleigh
Six arrests took place:
Two positive drug wipes: – by Patrol officers in Newton Abbot
Two for Possession With Intent to Supply – both people in the same vehicle, Patrol stop on A380 Kingsteignton
Drink drive, Patrol officer stop in Torquay
Fail to stop / dangerous drive / driving otherwise in accordance with a licence / no insurance / driving whilst unfit – stopped in Torquay
Fail to stop and decamped the vehicle, turned out to be a suspect for a domestic violence incident – stopped by Patrol officers in Torquay
Five drivers were issued with words of advice from police, four for having vehicle lights out and one for anti-social driving.
Two vehicles were seized for having no insurance and one vehicle was searched after an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) hit by Patrol officers in South Hams
On Saturday evening (18 April) police arrested a further four suspected drink/drug drivers across South Devon.
A convicted sex offender is to be returned to prison for breach of licence after police in Plymouth used new legislation to arrest and charge a man.
We arrested a 45-year-old man in Plymouth following reports of two women being approached separately while they were on the school run in Devonport yesterday, Wednesday 22 April.
Following investigations by Plymouth police, Stuart Hulme, aged 45, from Plymouth was charged with two offences of sexual harassment under the Public Order Act.
The charges mark some of the first use of new offences brought into statute on April 1, 2026, aimed at public order offences.
Hulme was remanded in custody to appear before Plymouth magistrates today, Thursday 23 April, where he pleaded guilty and received 16 weeks imprisonment.
Sergeant Debbie Benwell said: “We are delighted that the man was identified and arrested quickly under the new legislation and gives the police an additional power, that we have used in this case.
“This has allowed an offender to be returned to prison and sends a strong message, that we will do everything we can to protect woman and girls from harm.
“The victims informed the police quickly and provided the evidence we needed to help identify the man. I would like to thank them personally for their courage in coming forward.
A routine council meeting descended into a bitter and highly charged confrontation, with accusations of illegality, bullying and altered public records triggering a dramatic walkout.
The extraordinary scenes unfolded during a meeting of Tiverton Town Council on Monday, April 20, where councillors clashed over whether Councillor Valerie Bagatelas was legally allowed to remain in her role.
The dispute began when Councillor Tim Bridger (Local Independents for Tiverton, LIFT) raised what he described as a “point of order”, insisting that Councillor Bagatelas had been automatically disqualified for failing to attend meetings for more than six months.
Cllr Bridger said: “This is a point of order about a member here who is not qualified to sit at the table because she’s been disqualified. It is a point of order, you do not have the option to ignore it.
“My point of order concerns Councillor Valerie Bagatelas. She is disqualified as she did not attend a meeting in excess of six months. It is automatic, it cannot be undone by a vote, she is disqualified.”
Mayor Cllr Neal Davey rejected the claim, telling the chamber: “Cllr Bridger that is not a point of order.”
Cllr Bridger responded: “It is a point of order, she should not be sitting here. She’s not a councillor. She’s been disqualified. You have not responded to any questions about her being disqualified. It is incontrovertible that she did not attend a meeting; she is disqualified.”
Cllr Davey replied: “She has not been disqualified.”
The disagreement intensified as Councillor Chris Berry (LIFT) said the council had previously agreed only to “note apologies”, while the mayor cited guidance from Local Government Administration to justify recording and approving absences to prevent vacancies.
The meeting grew more tense when Ana Hendy, a member of the public standing for LIFT in the upcoming election, raised concerns about transparency and public trust.
Ana said: “When we are elected to town council it’s a privilege and it puts us in a position of trust. I think it’s not too much for the public to ask that with this privilege we attend as often as we possibly can.
“The rules are such that if you do not attend a meeting within six months you are automatically disqualified.”
She went on to allege that public attendance records may have been altered, adding: “It’s come to my attention, and I hope it’s not true, that public records have been changed, notably the public records on June 2 attendance.”
Cllr Davey interrupted, saying: “We are not here to have a discussion about that, but the public record has not been altered. The minutes were signed by myself and have not been altered.”
Ana continued: “I am a member of the public, I’m allowed to speak. I have seen those signed records, but that does not mean they were not altered.”
Cllr Bridger, addressing the mayor said: “You don’t get the option to tell the public what they can and can’t ask questions about. That is an abuse of power. It is an abuse of your position. The public have a right to ask whatever question they wish.
Cllr Bridger later escalated the claims, alleging: “The record has been altered. It’s been changed. One of them has changed a legal record, It’s a criminal offence to alter a legal document.
“We cannot continue this meeting if she remains in this room.”
The mayor suspended proceedings for five minutes before issuing a statement reminding councillors of their duty to treat staff and each other with “courtesy and respect” and warning that concerns should be raised through proper channels.
Despite this, tensions continued to rise. Councillor Ben Holdman (Liberal Democrat) accused Cllr Bridger of “bullying and harassment”, saying: “You are bullying and harassing a member of this council, the ruling was made that Cllr Bagatelas remains on the council.”
Cllr Berry responded: “It is a councillor’s duty and obligation to raise concerns where they have found we’re in breach. It is a legal obligation and we cannot be shut down.”
The dispute culminated in a motion to prevent Cllr Bridger from speaking further, followed by an angry outburst.
Cllr Bridger, shouting at the mayor as he walked out said: “What’s the point of this council. You are a disgrace to your position. A disgrace. Full disclosure, BBC News will be hearing about this. This is an absolute outrage. Enjoy your meeting, it’s not legal, and you know it’s not legal. You’re breaking the law, and you are a disgrace to your position. The sooner you resign, the better.”
Several other LIFT members then walked out of the meeting.
After the walkout, remaining councillors expressed concern for staff wellbeing. Town clerk Kathy Atkinson said: “Is danger money an offer for coming into this council chamber? Thank you for your support. We are getting lots of help and support.”
Councillor Beckett Fish (Liberal Democrat) added: “I want to put on record a heartfelt thanks to the officers of the council. I know how hard you work, and you do not have to come into this job and certainly don’t need to suffer intimidation and threats of any kind.
“I really feel it should not be like that. I hope the law is changed. I just want to reiterate that everyone remaining in the chamber feels that.
“I also want to thank Cllr Bagatelas who I know has been suffering and has been terribly ill for the last year and has had all sorts of challenges and personal problems, and issues coming into this chamber. Then when she does get into here, she is intimidated and threatened and it’s not very nice at all to have to operate in that atmosphere.”
The meeting continued with remaining business, including preparations for the annual council meeting scheduled for Monday, May 11.
A new season has been set in motion as bowlers return to the green with high hopes, community spirit and a growing charity effort already under way.
Tiverton West End Bowling Club officially opened its green on Saturday, April 18, marking the start of its 2026 season with members gathering for the traditional roll-off.
Club president Chris Slade said the club was optimistic about the months ahead after maintaining strong participation through the winter.
Chris said: “We’re looking forward to good weather and good games in the coming season.
“We had lots of people play indoors during the winter, so we’ve kept together in anticipation for the new season.”
The club is also continuing its support for Singing to Remember, a charity which helps people living with dementia.
Chris said: “This year we are raising funds for Singing to Remember, a great cause who help those with dementia and we’re so pleased to support them and raise funds for the cause.”
Members have already raised £433 during the winter months and plan to continue fundraising events throughout the summer season.
Chris added: “I got to officially start the season today with my roll-off. It was very good to do, bit nervous but it was alright.”
Following the opening, the club faces a packed fixture list stretching across the spring and summer, with matches scheduled against teams including Hemyock, Wellington and South Molton in the opening weeks.
The season will conclude with the club’s Presidents Day and closure of the green in September.
From disrupted weddings to school runs blighted by foul air, residents across Tiverton have described the growing toll of a persistent smell that continues to affect homes, businesses and daily routines.
Following a public meeting on Friday, April 17 and fresh intervention from Tiverton and Minehead MP Rachel Gilmour, locals have now spoken out in detail about how the odour is impacting their lives – with many calling for clearer communication and urgent action.
Among those raising concerns is Tara Fraser, who lives at Ashley Court, one of the closest residential areas to the sewage treatment works.
She said the issue is not only unpleasant but is now affecting her livelihood.
Ms Fraser said: “We have a venue and we have weddings and things like that, but who wants to smell that for their weddings? Nobody.”
She added that while residents want a long-term solution, better communication would at least allow people to plan around the issue.
Ms Fraser said: “We would really like to at the least want to know when the smell is going to come, so if they are not going to stop doing it they need to say when it is, and it cannot be on the weekend.”
Tiverton sewage works
Other residents described a range of different smells and raised concerns about what is being transported to and processed at the site.
Henry Williams claimed materials beyond sewage sludge may be involved.
He said: “Could I just mention offal, because loads of offal go up there.
“The proof of that is that we found a couple of lungs and tracheas by the side of the road that had fallen off a lorry.”
Mr Williams added: “Sometimes it smells of fish, sometimes it smells of pork pies, there is all sorts of stuff going in there.”
He said the smell often begins early in the morning and varies depending on weather conditions.
Mr Williams said: “If you walk down there at 6.30am when it operates that is when the stink starts and it depends on which way the wind blows as to who gets it.”
He also questioned the effectiveness of measures taken to control odour.
“This week there has been a massive chemical smell and it smells like what you get if you put chemicals on a field.”
Residents living further uphill also reported regular exposure to the smell, particularly during the morning.
Lynne Evans, who lives in Palmerstone Park, said the odour is noticeable during the school run.
She said: “The smell is usually horrendous at 8.15am.
“My granddaughter lives with me, we leave to go to school and she holds her nose and we get the smell all the way to Ashley, by the time we get to the tip it is gone, so it is not the tip.”
Concerns were also raised about the role of lorry movements in spreading the smell.
Paul Stagg suggested there may be more than one source contributing to the issue.
He said: “I think there is two distinct smells. One is the treatment works which Palmerstone Park and Ashley Court get the smell, then there is the other smell from the lorries going out and in to the treatment works.”
Mr Stagg questioned whether vehicles transporting waste were being properly managed.
He said: “If they are bringing offal in and they are not properly sealed, do the lorries transport such stuff need to be sealed?
“When they are loading they slop it all over the sides and do not wash it off.”
He added that certain days appear to be worse than others.
Mr Stagg said: “Friday is usually clear out day especially if there is rain as they cannot cope with water there.”
He also linked the issue to ongoing development in the area.
He said: “They cannot cope yet planning keeps passing plans for hundreds of homes here and there.”
For some residents, the situation has echoes of similar disputes elsewhere.
Philip Richardson, who has lived in Tiverton for more than two decades, said he had experienced comparable issues in the past.
He said: “When I lived in Watford, we had arguments with Thames Water, they fobbed us off with letters and telling us they would do something about it.”
Mr Richardson suggested collective action may be needed.
He said: “The only way that people can stop this is if we all came together and did not pay our water bills.
“Do not pay it, put it away somewhere, and they will soon do something about it.”
Safety concerns were also highlighted, particularly in relation to the increase in large vehicles accessing the treatment site.
Mike Shields said the current road infrastructure may not be suitable for the volume and size of traffic.
He said: “I am more concerned about the road access to the sewage works because we know South West Water own it, but the size of the vehicles going along it now, it is an accident waiting to happen.”
Mr Shields added that there have already been incidents.
He said: “They have had two accidents over the last few years but more recently vehicles have got much bigger.”
He warned: “Eventually an accident will happen, and with that major pollution.”
The accounts add to growing pressure on South West Water to address concerns, with residents, councillors and the local MP all calling for clearer answers and practical solutions.
A row over a persistent and unpleasant smell in Tiverton has intensified, with the town’s MP launching a scathing attack on the region’s water provider and warning further action could follow if concerns are not addressed.
Speaking after a public meeting held on Friday, April 17, Tiverton and Minehead MP Rachel Gilmour set out a series of criticisms of South West Water and its parent company, Pennon Group, alongside a list of actions she says she will now pursue.
Ms Gilmour said her concerns about the company predated her election, claiming she had been approached by a whistleblower with insider knowledge.
She said: “Before I got elected I was approached by somebody who worked for South West Water which is otherwise known as the Pennon Group, and he was a whistleblower.
“He told me from the start that because South West Water is a company, it is designed to make money for its shareholders.”
She added: “The way they make money for their shareholders is a combination of factors. One is putting up bills and the other one is not looking after their assets.”
Ms Gilmour claimed this had led to wider issues across the South West, arguing that infrastructure had not been adequately maintained.
She said: “They have got a major problem across the South West that their assets are not looked after because it costs them money.”
Referencing a previous incident in Brixham, she said initial blame had been placed on farmers before responsibility shifted.
She said: “It turned out the Pennon Group was their problem because they had not looked after their assets.”
Ms Gilmour added that the situation had serious consequences for residents.
Following that incident, she said Liberal Democrat MPs across the South West had taken coordinated action.
She said: “Every single Liberal Democrat MP in the South West wrote and demanded the resignation of the CEO of the Pennon Group, which is what happened.”
A new chief executive is now due to take up the role, with Ms Gilmour confirming she has already been in contact.
The MP also used her speech to raise broader concerns about how water services are managed, questioning whether current structures are fit for purpose.
Tiverton Sewage Works (Credit : Derek Harper / Geograph)
She said: “I think water should not be a privilege but clean water should be a right.
“I think there is something profoundly wrong with a company and corporation being allowed to make a massive profit and get away without investing in things when we are dealing with what is a national asset.”
Ms Gilmour referred to ongoing national discussions around water reform, including a government-backed review.
She said: “The government did set up a consultation, Cunliffe Commission, and there are some awkward questions to be answered.”
She added: “There will be some murky solution that comes of it and my party are particularly unhappy about that.”
Turning to her own dealings with South West Water, Ms Gilmour described a recent meeting in Bampton as “particularly unpleasant”.
She said: “They sent along a director, the attitude was absolutely appalling.
“Arrogance, inertia, and in the end I said to him and his team ‘I do not think there is any point in this meeting going any further, you have not been able to convince me that you care or understand’ and so I sent them home.”
The MP said she is now compiling a detailed record of commitments and responses over the smell in Tiverton.
She said: “I have made a list of actions and I will have a complete file of who said what they would do, and what South West Water have said.”
She also warned she would continue to press the issue in Parliament if necessary.
She said: “If anyone has seen me stand in Parliament when I am extremely angry I do not shout, I do not go red, I go white, cold, rigid, anger, and I am prepared to continue doing this again and again and again.”
Ms Gilmour said she would escalate matters further if the company fails to respond adequately.
She said: “If we do not get satisfaction from the new CEO I will ask him to consider his position and it would get cross-party MPs from across the South West to write that letter.”
The MP outlined a series of specific actions she intends to take following the meeting.
These include writing to government ministers to question why odour issues are not treated as a regulated function, and why they are not included in Environment Agency reporting on river spills.
She said she would also seek answers on why Tiverton residents were not consulted about changes that may have affected air quality and the local environment.
Ms Gilmour added she plans to raise concerns about infrastructure, including whether pipes at the site are adequate.
She said: “How can we have to such an extent that nobody knows if the pipes are large enough to do the jobs they are supposed to?”
Further correspondence will be sent to the Environment Agency regarding the classification of the smell as a potential environmental health issue, and to ministers including Emma Hardy.
The MP also said she would challenge South West Water over rising bills.
She said she would write “to justify the increase in water bills given all the above”.
Additional requests include a breakdown of the contents of sewage sludge being processed at the Tiverton site, and improved communication with residents and businesses.
Rachel Gilmour investigates the watercourses in Devon and Somerset
She said: “I think South West Water should be required to warn Mid Devon residents and particularly businesses if there is going to be an increase in smell which will impact your ability to make a living.”
Ms Gilmour also raised concerns about land maintenance responsibilities, including drainage, trees and hedges, and suggested further monitoring of practices such as lime dosing in rivers.
She said this could involve organisations including the Environment Agency and local groups such as the Rivers Trust.
As part of her proposed next steps, the MP said she would ask the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to commission an independent investigation.
She said: “I am going to write to Defra and outline all the problems we have here and get them to commission an independent report into what is going in our town.”
She also called on Mid Devon District Council, in its role as a planning authority, to seek clarity from South West Water over future capacity for new developments.
