VOCAL residents made their feelings known on recent decisions by the Minehead Coastal Community Team (MCCT) at a much anticipated presentation meeting on Monday night (March 26).

Representatives from community groups were invited and heard a presentation from landscape John Burgess, who is investigating options for how to improve the Eastern Esplanade.

Consultation is currently being held over how best to spend £320,000 of funding - ideas so far include feature lighting, improved seating, new play equipment as well as ‘decluttering’ certain areas. While some of the ideas were well received by residents, many were upset that the issue regarding the Minehead logo had not been addressed.

MCCT handed round a sheet covering ‘frequently asked questions’ - in response to the why it was unable to change direction on the branding, the MCCT states: “Following due process, a professional company was engaged to develop a brand, and rigorous market research was carried out between October and January. There was consultation throughout January with residents, business owners and visitors where the people of Minehead made their choice from four brand options.”

But resident Emma Hobbs said: “I think you have not listened to the locals. People’s concerns are not about sticking it to the council. Scott Huish is a local designer and his logo, to me, shows in a few simple lines what Minehead is all about.”

Residents also asked questions about the why the money could not be spent on toilets - which the CCT say is because the funds and not council funds as such and must be spent on the purposes for which they were secured.

Shonie Millward-Usher, representing the Minehead Community Facebook Group, said: “The Minehead Community Group is left underwhelmed and lacking in any faith in those who have thus far provided ‘unpopular ‘solutions’ to local issues, and a determined ignorance regarding public opinions.

“We question the qualifications of the MCCT, to be able to assess and local business contributions to the branding debacle as ‘amateurish’ and ‘parochial’, and in doing so question their authority given large sums of money have already been spent on so far wholly disappointing outcomes.”

Resident Andrew Escott said: “The harbour is in a disgraceful state and no money seems to be spent down there. The recent bad weather had damaged the tarmac, there is paint peeling, a random flagpole with no flag - it does not need a lot of work just a lick of paint and some TLC.”

Other residents also questioned why the newly repainted Edwardian Shelters were already showing signs of paint chipping, and were told ‘the contractor had problems with the paint, had gone back to Dulux and would put it right’.

There were also concerns over the new gabion gallery planned opposite the railway station, and whether or not a tidal pool could be installed. Further consultation will take place in Minehead Tourist Information Centre from April 10-15 and May 29 - June 17.