£35,000 up for grabs for sport in Budleigh Salterton

Budleigh Salterton parish residents are being asked to decide how to spend £35,000 available for sports in the area.

Budleigh Salterton Town Council and EDDC are taking their voting stall to Budleigh Gala Week, The Green, Budleigh Salterton on Saturday 25 May between 1pm and 4.30pm. So why not go along and cast your vote?

The money has come from recent housing developments (Section 106 money) in the parish. It is now up to residents to decide how the money is used.

An appeal for ideas last year produced a range of suggestions from Budleigh Salterton residents, organisations, voluntary and community groups. Those that were eligible for funding are the ideas residents now have to choose between an outdoor gym, improvements to the skate park, an outdoor table tennis table, a sports activity wall and creating a cyclepath across The Green. The proposals that get the most votes will happen.

Residents of any age can vote. EDDC will be making sure that the final vote is representative of the actual population of the whole parish and all age groups. This may mean further voting events need to take place to allow more residents of certain ages or locations to vote.

One conditon of any funding is that, once installed, the recreation facilities or equipment must be open and accessible to the whole community.

EDDC’s portfolio holder for Economy, Councillor Graham Godbeer, said: “We are committed to making sure that local people have their say about where money levied on developments in their parish gets spent. We’ve had some great suggestions and I’m looking forward to seeing which get the votes”.

Budleigh Salterton Town Councillor Chris Kitson, said: “This is an ideal opportunity for the community to decide how all age groups can benefit by the provision of new recreation facilities in the Town.  Come along to discuss the potential projects and vote for your choice”.