LEADERS of Dartmouth Business Improvement District have come under fire for not attending a meeting to discuss car parking and possible major changes to the town's park and ride service. South Hams councillor Rufus Gilbert, the district council's spokesman for car parking who led the meeting, said he was disappointed and surprised that no official representative from the BID was present. The BID group lists parking and the park and ride scheme as one of its key priorities on its website. But newly elected BID chairman Nigel Way sent his apologies to the meeting held on Monday at the Guildhall, and BID manager Phil Scoble claimed on Tuesday that he had not received an invitation. Afterwards, businessman Dave Cawley, speaking as an individual and not as town councillor, said it was 'outrageous' that the Bid was not formally represented. 'Essential and vital information was given and the participants were asked to both participate at the meeting and later by formal submission,' he said. 'However, the chairman of the Dartmouth BID gave his apologies and did not send anyone else. So, no one from the BID. This is outrageous since the BID claims one of its top priorities is car parking. 'First we have the abortive "Royal Dartmouth" then the ludicrous "put the cat out" branding, and now no interest in car parking. 'Oh, and despite two personal requests from me to meet with the chairman of BID, I have yet to receive an invite.' For more on this story, see this week's Dartmouth Chronicle