Teignbridge seeks views on future priorities

Teignbridge District Council is working on a 10-year strategy for the district, and is asking residents and businesses to help decide the priority issues.

A six-week consultation period gets underway from Tuesday 7 July 2015 and will run until Tuesday 18 August 2015.

The Council Strategy will set the tone for how Teignbridge works over the next decade, its vision, goals and how these will be achieved. It’s important because it helps target resources and services more effectively to meet local needs and shows how Teignbridge’s work benefits local people, businesses and visitors and provides good value for money.

People who live, work and visit Teignbridge can have their say on what issues they consider to be most important so the Strategy can be shaped around their needs.

During the six week consultation residents and other interested parties can have their say online at www.teignbridge.gov.uk/liveconsultations

Residents can also join the conversation on social media sites at www.facebook.com/Teignbridge and www.twitter.com/Teignbridge #CouncilStrategy.

The council will be discussing the Strategy with its other key stakeholders including, but not limited to, neighbouring councils, the police, housing associations and voluntary sector organisations. They will also be visiting local events with the consultation at:

Wednesday 8 July: Swimming Pool, Kingsteignton, Meadowcroft Drive, from 4pm – 8pm
Friday 10 July: Coffee on the Corner, Victory Hall, Exminster, from 2.30pm – 6pm
Wednesday 15 July: Community Club, Court Street, Moretonhampstead, from 2.20pm – 6pm
Saturday 18 July: Medieval Gayre, St Lawrence Lane, Ashburton, from 3pm- 6pm
Tuesday 21 July: Kingskerswell Parish Centre, Church End Road, Kingskerswell, from 2pm – 6pm
Saturday 25 July: Lamb Pie Day, Millennium Green, Buckfastleigh, from noon – 4pm
Sunday 26 July: Sunday Funday, Mill Marsh Park, Bovey Tracey, from 12.30pm – 4.30pm
Thursday 30 July: Chudleigh Street market, Chudleigh, from 10.30am – 1.20pm
Tuesday 4 August: Teignmouth Regatta fete, The Den, Teignmouth, from 10am- 4pm
Wednesday 5 August: Play Day, Courtenay park, Newton Abbot, from noon – 3.30pm
Thursday 6 August: Community Fair, The Lawn, Dawlish, from 10am – 4pm
Sunday 9 August: Hennock Country Fayre, Henncok, from noon – 4pm
Wednesday 12 August: Market Day, Courtenay Street, Newton Abbot, from 10.30am- 3pm
Saturday 15 August: Christow Show, Christow, from noon – 4pm

The Council Strategy will replace the 2011-2015 Council Plan. The evidence, research and consultation responses will shape the proposed Council Strategy. The draft document will go through the committee decision making processes later this year with the aim of the final Council Strategy going to Full Council for adoption in Spring 2016.

A comprehensive programme of research has been undertaken on the key issues and challenges facing the district that are within the scope of the district council.

There are three emerging themes:

Economy looks at economic activity in Teignbridge; how residents earn and spend their money, the types and sizes of businesses, the levels of pay and the job and training opportunities available; and other factors that can influence the economic climate of Teignbridge at local and national levels.

Environment is seeing our environment as an important asset, working to improve, protect, and maintain green spaces, important wildlife habitats and cultural heritage sites. It’s about living in harmony with the ecosystem of Teignbridge, using natural resources wisely and efficiently, and reducing what we use and throw away.

Wellbeing is thinking about the residents of Teignbridge, who they are, how they are feeling and how they are living their lives. It’s about working to support them and the communities they live in and encouraging them to make making healthy choices and lead rewarding lifestyles.

Cllr Jeremy Christophers, Leader of Teignbridge District Council and executive spokesman for strategic partnerships, said: “This is a really important document for Teignbridge because it will help us understand our environment and residents' needs even more, so we can make choices about how the council will operate in the future.

“Lots of work has already taken place; gathering and analysing evidence, informal consultation with partners, officer and councillor workshops and engagement.

“Importantly, we want people to tell us what they think is important to them because that, in turn, will influence what we do and how we do it. If there are things you think we’ve missed then please tell us. This is about having an open conversation with people, the things that are within our scope, the things that aren’t and what we are able to achieve.”

Cllr Mike Haines, the Leader of the Independent Group on Teignbridge District Council, said: “Following the national and local elections now is a good time for the people of Teignbridge to think about how they see the future of our district. This time there is the opportunity to have a longer 10-year vision into the future, rather than the shorter time period of the Council Plan that it will replace. I hope residents engage in the process so the strategy reflects local opinion.”