Jim Parker: Chopping and changing by the council leaves us all stumped

What a carve-up in more ways than one - and I'm not talking about the Christmas turkey!
The threatened carve-up of chairs for Torbay Council committees went ahead after a change in who holds the reins of power at the Town Hall.
Meanwhile, down on the seafront it was the swift actions of the SWISCo axe men who were carving up the famous Italian Gardens by chopping down its palm trees.
Let's start there. Anybody taking a stroll on the Torquay promenade must have thought vandals (albeit strong-armed ones) had had a field day as many of the palms gracing the Italian Gardens had been reduced to stumps.
The trees in the picturesque gardens overlooking Torre Abbey Sands have been enjoyed by locals and holidaymakers alike for almost a century.
The frenzy of bewildered and angry comments soon flooded social media platforms with accompanying photographs showing the sad-looking and barren landscape.
One visitor posted: “Trees are special for all sorts of reasons! Those palms are synonymous with Torbay.”
Another added: “Absolutely beyond words for the total destruction. How can they justify doing this?”
Well, justify they have, kind of.
It transpires that the actions of the chopper brigade were all part of work which began last week to transform - not wreck - the Italian Gardens ahead of their 100th anniversary next year. The gardens, which are a recognised historical and cultural element of the English Riviera, were originally planted in 1924, and due to their location form a major part of the natural landscape on Torquay seafront.
The council says that over the last 20 years the Gardens have significantly degraded and are currently not laid out and planted in the original way. As a short-term measure, the Italian Gardens were sown with wildflower seeds to avoid the presence of bare soil during the summer months. The gardens have had no further planting since, and the wildflowers are no longer acceptable in such a prominent location.
The council said: “The community asked us to make changes to the gardens and as a result consultation took place in late 2019. Concept drawings of the restoration and planting scheme were developed with community representatives as part of the consultation process. Following the consultation, a decision was made that the restoration of the Italian Gardens should be a priority.”
But the council revealed: “Due to the Covid pandemic and budget pressures, implementation of the agreed scheme was delayed.”
Now they have confirmed: “With the 100th anniversary of the gardens being next year, officers have been working hard to find sufficient resources and this has resulted in the works now starting. Over the coming weeks and months, the garden will be transformed, path entrances will be created, and structural planting will be put in place, ready for Spring 2024. To further enhance the garden the sundial / fountain that was lost more than 40-years ago will be replaced.”
The Town Hall promises: “Together with SWISCo we look forward to unveiling the new look Italian Gardens in 2024.”
Will the political landscape likewise look any better after the musical chairs and merry-go-round of last week's Torbay Council meeting?
The defection of two Conservative councillors to form their own Prosper Torbay group left the Tories with no overall control. And once the duo sided with the Liberal Democrats and Independents it was they who held the upper hand when it came to votes.
Subsequently, the Tory councillors originally elected to chair main committees like planning, licensing and harbours, were booted out and replaced by Lib Dem, Independent and Prosper members.
They called it 'working together for the benefit of the Bay.' For some it may make as much sense as suddenly chopping down the Italian Gardens palm trees with nothing in their place at the start of the spectacular Bay of Lights Christmas Illuminations trail which it's hoped will attract visitors from far and wide to also enjoy what the English Riviera is famous for.... its palm trees, sorry stumps!
Only in Torbay!