On the road again, into your community
Posted on: 13 September 2012
Devon County Council leader John Hart is visiting communities across Devon this autumn to hear how the authority can help local people improve local life.
Your Community, Your Choice will start on Tuesday 25 September in Tiverton – the first of 18 visits to market and coastal towns.
For the past three years Mr Hart has staged successful consultation events across Devon.
The feedback from these meetings – and online responses too - has helped county leaders take tough choices and ensured scarce resources are concentrated on the things most important to Devon people.
This year’s events will focus on local community action. They will concentrate on identifying local priorities and how Devon County Council can help and support communities improve life for local people by making changes or initiating new projects.
Mr Hart said: “We’re still in tough economic times and we can no longer do everything people want or that we would like to. But we are determined to support communities which wish to take action themselves.
“Across Devon there’s a growing number of communities working in a different way and bringing about change. However we can do so much more by working more closely together.”
Mr Hart said there were many projects across the county being run by local people, for local people with the backing of the county council. They included community libraries set in shops and pubs, volunteer community transport, a group established to tidy up Tavistock’s appearance and volunteers providing a safe meeting place for young people in Sidmouth.
“Now more than ever, communities have the opportunity to have more influence and take control over local priorities and services,” he said.
“Only by all working together in a new way will local priorities be delivered. The more communities take part in the events in person or online, the more we can do to work together to make it happen.”
All the events will start at 6.30pm and no pre booking is required. There will be the opportunity to talk to John Hart as well as local county councillors about any issues affecting the community.
There is also the opportunity for communities to get involved on the website www.devon.gov.uk/localchoices, and through discussion boards and twitter @DevonDemocracy #DevonYCYC
This year’s events are
Tiverton – 6:30pm Tuesday 25 September
Tiverton, Town Hall, St Andrew Street, Tiverton, EX16 6PG
Lynton – 6:30pm Friday 28 September
Lynton Town Hall, Lee Road, Lynton, Devon EX35 6HT
Ivybridge – 6:30pm Tuesday 2 October
The Watermark, Erme Court, Leonards Road, Ivybridge, PL21 0SZ
Cullompton – 6:30pm Wednesday 3 October
The Hayridge, Exeter Hill, Cullompton, Devon, EX15 1DJ
Okehampton – 6:30pm Wednesday 24 October
The Charter Hall, Market Street, Okehampton EX20 1HN
Exmouth – 6:30pm Thursday 25 October
Exmouth Community College, Gipsy Lane Exmouth, Devon EX8 3AF
Barnstaple – 6:30pm Thursday 1 November
The Park Community School, Park Lane, Newport, Barnstaple, EX32 9AX
Ashburton – 6:30pm Friday 2 November
Town Hall, North Street, Ashburton, TQ13 7QQ
Tavistock – 6:30pm Tuesday 6 November
Tavistock Town Hall, Bedford Square, Tavistock, PL19 0AE
Holsworthy – 6:30pm Thursday 8 November
Holsworthy Memorial Hall, Manor Car Park, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6D
Newton Abbot – 6:30pm Monday 12 November
Passmore Edwards Centre, Market Street, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2RJ
Bideford – 6:30pm Monday 19 November
Pollyfield Community Centre, Avon Road, Bideford, EX2 4BL
Exeter – 6:30pm Tuesday 20 November
St Sidwells Community Centre, Sidwell St, Exeter, EX4 6NN
Honiton – 6:30pm Friday 23 November
Mackarness Hall, High Street, Honiton Devon EX14 1PG
Seaton – 6:30pm Monday 26 November
Seaton Town Hall, Fore Street, Seaton, EX12 2LD
Totnes – 6:30pm Wednesday 28 November
Civic Hall, Market Place, Totnes, TQ9 5QH
Teignmouth – 6:30pm Friday 30 November
Teignmouth Heritage Centre, 29 French Street Teignmouth TQ14 8ST
South Molton – 6:30pm Monday 3 December
Filleigh Village Hall, Filleigh, Barnstaple, EX32 0RS
Anyone planning on attending one of the events and who has any special requirements, should call 01392 383416 or email marketing@devon.gov.uk
