AN expert report to investigate use of the River Tavy to generate power in Tavistock was last week shelved, following a U-turn by councillors. The town council?s finance committee last month agreed that more than £1,360 should be spent on commissioning the survey of the river, with a view to building a mini-hydropower station in the town. But members at last week?s full council meeting overturned the recommendation, some claiming the idea would be ?financially nutty?. Cllr Brian Trew said: ?To pay £1,364 would just be the beginning, there would be more consulting after this ? it?s financially nutty and we would be off our trollies to consider it.? Cllr Norma Woodcock said there were already two sites using the River Tavy to generate power in West Devon, at Mary Tavy and at Morwellham. She said: ?I like the idea in principle, I?m not against alternative energy but this isn?t the way to go forward. It?s not turning a blind eye, we are not burying our heads, but at this time, spending this money is not in the town?s best interests.? Cllr Alison Clish-Green said: ?Alternative energy and the energy crisis is pretty high up on a lot of people?s agendas, and so it should be, but if the council is serious about doing anything, it should be looking at wider issues, not just homing in on a tiny little thing that might or might not work. ?There are other ways of this council being proactive, dozens of things we could do to encourage people.? Cllr Martin Taylor said technologies regarding small-scale hydro-power generation were moving on rapidly. Any consultant?s report would quickly be out of date and the council would be better off keeping a watching brief on the situation. But Cllr David Farrant said spending money on an expert?s report was not necessarily the start of a constant stream of expenditure: ?I feel we owe it to the people of Tavistock to thoroughly investigate whether the Tavy could be a source of energy for us.? He was backed by deputy mayor Cllr Caroline Keane: ?I think it?s about time, as we were voted best market town, we should take serious responsibility for what?s happening. ?We could take a lead in trying to say we do have a responsible attitude towards the environment.? And town mayor Cllr Jenny Metcalf said the council should take a greater interest in the development of alternative energy. She said: ?I think many people are very frightened at the thought of more nuclear power stations. ?We must remain very aware of these things and see how much we can do to affect public opinion in being more responsible about the use of energy and power.? The council decided not to go ahead with commissioning a consultant?s report into the run of the River Tavy ? Cllr Robin Pike, who sits on the rivers authority, would pass on the council?s position regarding the proposal at its next meeting.
