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Exmouth
Town Council –Newsletter
Newsletter
25
December 2007
Exmouth Town Council –Newsletter
Preserving
the Heritage of Exmouth
The Mayor photographed with Bill Sleeman,
Chairman of Exmouth Musuem Society in front
of the refurbished memorial stones by the
Victorian Water Fountain on the corner of
Alexandra Terrace and the Esplanade. Exmouth
Town Council granted £250 to enable
the stones to be refurbished. The old fountain
was moved when works were being carried out
to demolish part of the old Gentlemen’s
Club now the Elizabeth Hall. Bill found the
old fountain discarded in a corner and arranged
for it to be placed in its current position.
The old fountain used to have a constant supply
of water filling a trough for horses and donkeys
and this flowed in to a trough underneath
for dogs.
Annual
Town Meeting
The Town Clerk gave a comprehensive presentation
on the overall proposals for regenerating
the Town at the Annual Town Meeting on 17th
March. The well attended meeting listened
attentively to the explanation of what is
happening now and proposed for the future.
Many questions were raised about proposals
and some concerns were expressed that there
was a lack of involvement of people in what
was currently being planned. There was clear
concern about the size of the proposed supermarket
in the area of the Bus Depot, what it would
look like and what affect it would have on
traffic, car parking and the Environment.
It was explained that all these issues were
currently being looked into in depth and would
have to be answered as part of the planning
process which would be subject to public consultation.
ASM
ASDA had also agreed that they would publicise
their detailed proposals when these were available
so that the public could comment and add their
ideas to what was being put forward. The choice
of ASM ASDA as the preferred developers was
explained and why they had been successful
over the three other contenders. Other possible
considerations such as locating the proposed
Visitor Centre over the proposed new sports
centre were talked about with a view to that
being a first phase which would provide a
great opportunity to move the project forward.
The success of phase 1 could then lead on
to further growth of the Centre over a longer
time scale if it proved to be very successful.
It
was made clear that decisions were now being
made to move forward proposals after many
years of discussions about what might or might
not work in Exmouth. Any changes will always
be controversial within a town which the residents
have great affection for and views range from
concern about the shabbiness of the town and
its run down appearance in places to the need
to grasp opportunities to move forward. It
is hoped that as the details are worked out
that some reassurance will be provided that
positive steps are being taken which will
benefit the town as a whole over a long period
of time. It is important that people and groups
in the town take all the opportunities they
are given to give their views when requested,
to help ensure that the best results possible
are achieved in terms of design and function.
Exe
Estuary Trail
Exmouth Town Council was pleased to be able
to help with the arrangements for the fun
day to mark the opening of the new Exe Estuary
Trail. The Council is aware of the opportunities
this is already creating for the town and
the need help the principal Councils to plan
for the full impact when the full route around
the whole Estuary is completed. The public
use of the scheme is a testament to the benefit
that can be achieved by taking projects forward.
There are still issues to work through but
the overall benefit of what has been achieved
so far is substantial and will continue to
grow.
Grant
Applications
Groups and Organisations wishing to apply
for grants are reminded of the timetable for
considering applications this year. Form available
from the Town Hall.
Deadline
for Applications Finance Committee when applications
determined
16th May 2008 16th June 2008
17th October 2008 10th November 2008
Mayor’s
Annual Charity Ball
This year’s ball is going to be better
than ever with good food, good company, excellent
entertainment and a quality band. Tickets
are on sale at the Pavilion. Everyone is welcome
and groups, organisations and businesses can
make block bookings. It will take place on
Saturday 19th April 2008 at the Pavilion –
BOOK NOW!
Exmouth
Regeneration Programme Board
The Council has agreed to the setting up of
a Regeneration Board including representatives
from the three local Councils and some business
representatives. The Board will be responsible
for progressing regeneration projects. Project
Management software will be used to help the
Board take an overview of everything that
is happening in Exmouth and to ensure that
projects are carried out with the optimum
benefit for the town. They will be able to
look at all the necessary aspects of project
management including ensuring that public
consultation opportunities are built in at
key points.
Neighbourhood
Project Fund
The Council has agreed to implement a Neighbourhood
projects fund which will be implemented in
the new financial year after 1st April. The
Journal will help the Town Council to advertise
this so that local people and groups will
be able to apply for money allocated to each
ward. These may be socially based projects
or small capital projects which will benefit
the local areas within which people live.
Keep reading the Journal to find out more
about how this will be put into practice in
the weeks to come.
Graffiti
Watch
Quick action is taken to remove graffiti and
fly posting by the District and Town Councils.
Let us know at the Town Hall of any new graffiti
you spot. The District Council has new powers
to serve notice on owners of graffiti’d
property if it cannot be removed by negotiation.
Private owners are responsible for their own
property and the Local Authorities will deal
with Public Property. Advice can be given
to private owners and assistance can be given
in some cases. There are some areas which
have created greater problems to deal with
hence some more long standing areas of graffiti
persist. If you witness graffiti taking place
then please report it immediately to the police
with as many details as possible so that there
is a chance of catching the offenders.
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Newsletter
25
December 2007
Exmouth Town Council –Newsletter
Moving
Forward
Exmouth
took a step closer on Tuesday 11th
December towards grasping a future for itself.
There have been many concerns expressed by
local people over the last year about the
number of shop units standing empty and taking
a long time to fill. Whilst new businesses
do eventually spring up it is a sign perhaps
of a less strong economy with businesses struggling
to survive in a tougher environment. The
effect of Princesshay in Exeter with its prestigious
new development is another big attractor away
from Exmouth shops and is bound to have an
effect. The parting of the ways with the
University of Plymouth will also have an effect
in 2008.
But
it is not all bad news. A decision on the
Lorry Park and Bus Station Site is all but
made and at last the period of indecision
and speculation about how Exmouth is to move
forward appears to be coming to an end.
The decision to appoint ASM Properties as
the preferred developers to carry out a comprehensive
redevelopment is the start of a real journey
where decisions will be made once and for
all about:
·
a new up to date sports centre
with swimming pool to be built before the
old one is removed;
·
relocation of the scruffy bus
storage depot;
·
provision of parking which
will meet the needs of the development there
and the Visitor Centre as well as the town;
·
provision of a new library
and community centre;
·
how to create good pedestrian
linkage across Marine Way to the Town Centre;
·
building to the latest environmental
and sustainable standards to minimize carbon
footprint;
·
developing designs which will
reflect the estuary and provide a more attractive
setting from which to appreciate the location;
·
removing ugly buildings which
do nothing to reflect the quality of the site.
A
great deal of time was spent by the East Devon
(Exmouth) ward Councillors, which included
County Councillors and Town Councillors considering
all the issues. The concerns of local people
were high on the list and particularly the
question of Asda. Will that company, linked
with Walmart of America, have the same reputation
for exploiting towns as happened across the
American plains?
The
evidence available shows that actually Asda
is working hard on its reputation by addressing
the concerns of exploitation of staff, seriously
taking action to reduce its carbon footprint
by real actions and concerned to develop good
community relations. The test for this will
be in the tough negotiations which will follow
to achieve the best possible result for Exmouth.
Tesco is already well established in the town
and hugely popular with residents and visitors.
It struggles to cope with the overwhelming
demand it faces and there is no doubt that
a strong competitor in town will help to balance
the near monopoly it has here. The footfall
brought into the town centre will be large
and significant and the challenge for the
Town Centre will be to work hard to attract
a good proportion of those people to also
visit the town.
Town
Management sees its role as an important one
in helping the town centre to be ready to
face this head on and to become a winner out
of this new development. Exmouth Town Management
sees the decision as a start along the road
of regeneration of the town. It envisions
further development within the town centre
itself within the London Inn Car Park which
will be a much more attractive prospect to
shops specialising in comparator goods such
as clothes, shoes etc and other good quality
food outlets. The concept of creating a
‘Piazza’ in the Strand is coming ever closer
and needs to be provided to tie in with the
links from the new developments
It
is being said that 25 years of speculation
and a myriad of ideas put forward by individuals
can now be brought together in an effort to
get behind something which will actually happen.
There should be plenty of opportunity to ensure
that views can be put forward during the design
process to ensure that the architects can
be strongly informed by the local community
about the aspects of the development which
they consider to be important. The detailed
time scale in these early days has to be defined
but planning applications in 2008 can be expected
working towards a start on the new sports
centre maybe as early as 2009. There is
a lot of work to do and a lot of initial investment
to be made by the developers in employing
architects, consultants, commissioning environmental
assessments, traffic studies and all that
comes with pre planning to ensure that the
final equations stack up before work commences.
New
Buses for Exmouth
Stagecoach
recently advised Exmouth’s Public Transport
Partnership that the buses bought in from
Cambridge have all now been re-liveried in
their company colours. It caused some consternation
to have Cambridge buses on Exmouth routes
however the decision was taken by Stagecoach
to get the newer and more reliable buses out
on the road as soon as they had them as the
old buses they replaced were well beyond their
shelf life. The Partnership was told that
60% of its buses on the Exmouth route are
now low floor vehicles providing for easy
access. The middle doors of the new buses
have been removed and new seats provided downstairs
to increase capacity. Whilst the change
over may have provided some concerns there
is no doubt that improvements have been made
to the service.
Elizabeth
Hall – Development Brief
East
Devon District Council will soon be considering
the development brief for advertising the
controversial Elizabeth Hall Site on the private
market. The plan is to include a portion
of the ground floor as a modern community
hall as requested by the Town Council.
The brief was accepted by the General Purposes
Committee of the Council on 10th
December and marketing of the site is expected
to take place in the New Year.
Doyle
Centre
Following
a meeting of interested parties on the future
of leisure facilities at the Doyle Centre
the County Council has agreed to start looking
at options. Further meetings will be held
in the new year to see what might be achieved
with a possible community partnership arrangement.
Cost is a major concern but there is a desire
by people to see the special facilities which
the Doyle Centre provided for people with
Special Needs and the community continued
in some form.
Exmouth
Visitor Centre
Project
Manager Tracey Guiry is making great progress
on taking forward the steps needed to make
this project happen. Advertisements are
out to find high caliber applicants to sit
on the new board being created to take responsibility
for delivering this project. A fundraising
plan is being put in place and fundraising
will begin in earnest in the early Spring.
The local Project Promotion Group has initiated
a ‘Friends Group’ and is planning to develop
this further as momentum for the project grows.
Happy
Christmas
To
all the people of Exmouth, a happy Christmas
and a restful one. We will all need to be
reinvigorated for the hard work to come in
2008. These are exciting times for our
Town and our challenge is to provide for the
existing residents but to have the vision
to shape a great place for the younger members
of the community who are yet to come. The
town is at last in a position where it can
now move forward with optimism and excitement
about its future.
Any
comments or views expressed in this newsletter
are not necessarily those of Exmouth Town
Council. The newsletter is edited by the
Town Clerk
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Newsletter
October 2007
Exmouth Town Council –Newsletter
Exe
Estuary Partnership
Exmouth
Town Council stood by the Exe Estuary Partnership
after the departure of the Exe Estuary Officer.
With a grant of £2,000 the Town Council has
continued to play an active part in ensuring
the future of the Partnership. With the
County and District Councils, East Devon and
Teignbridge all having funding ‘wobbles’,
it was important for the Town Council to stay
resolute in negotiations to keep the Partnership
afloat. It has taken some time for the appointment
of the new Partnership Officer, Jenny Lockett
to be made, but thankfully funding has been
secured for two years with the third year
requiring a funding gap to be filled. Exeter
City Council are refusing to contribute at
this point but it is hoped that very soon
they will agree to becoming a fully funded
partner which will secure long term funding
for the Patnership. Exmouth Town Council
believes that the future of the town and all
year tourism is inextricably linked with the
Exe Estuary based on its wildlife, recreation
and related industries. The Partnership
reconciles the needs of all these uses.
This careful management will help to ensure
the protection of the estuary and its responsible
and sustainable use for future generations.
Exe
Estuary Cycle Route Progress – Something to
look forward to
Work
on the new Exmouth to Lympstone section of
the Exe Estuary Cycle Route will be completed
early in 2008. An opening event is being
planned and will take place in the Spring.
Progress is good and the vistas over the Exe
Estuary from the route are exceptional.
The cycle route is set to become a very popular
attraction for walkers and cyclists.
Dangerous
Driving Reduction Action Group
Exmouth
Town Council continues to host a regular meeting
of representatives from the three Councils,
the police and local residents to reduce the
dangers caused by inconsiderate and dangerous
driving. Measures undertaken over the past
few years include engineering works, police
enforcement and locking of car park gates
in the evenings. The group is now looking
at measures to address driver behaviour and
is working with the County Council’s Area
Road Safety Officer to find ways to access
those people who cause the most problems.
We are all good drivers aren’t we? It is
always someone elses fault when things go
wrong? Or can we all learn something? A
review of how we approach these underlying
issues behind road accidents and anti-social
behaviour in cars and how we engage with hard
to reach groups is on-going.
Grants
Paid this Year
Exmouth
Town Council sets aside £16,000 a year for
local groups, organisations and worthy causes
to help them start up, keep going or purchase
much needed equipment. This money helps groups
who depend on grants and contributions and
those that just need a little extra help.
The Council sees this as vital to helping
bind the Community together and to promote
vital work which benefits the town. Here
are the Grants made this year:-
- Jurassic
Coast Trust £2,000 to help with publication
of a Jurassic Coast Publication ‘Red Coast
Revealed’;
- 3rd
Exmouth Scout Group £1,000 towards new toilet
block;
- Centre
Stage£1,000 supporting performances this
year;
- South
West Brass Band Association – annual competition
in Pavilion Gardens £300;
- Exmouth
Amateur Operatic Society £1,000 supporting
performances this year;
- Exmouth
Council of Voluntary Services £750 to help
fund the service;
- Turntable
Furniture - £250 to support furniture recycling
project which benefits Exmouth people;
- Vitalise
- £90 for breaks for two disabled people
and their carers from Exmouth;
- Exmouth
Swimming and Life Saving Club - £500 towards
costs of the service they provide;
- Exmouth
Museum Society - £250 to replace Battle
of Britain Plaques at the junction of Alexander
Terrace with the Sea Front;
- Exmouth
Beach Rescue - £580 towards costs of training
for coaches.
Exmouth
in Bloom
Exmouth
Town Council is delighted that Exmouth won
the St Bridgette Cup this year and a gold
award in the South West in Bloom in Exmouth. At
this level of the competition this is the
best award that can be achieved in its class
and is a mighty achievement for all concerned.
Exmouth in Bloom, East Devon District Council
and Exmouth Town Council can be proud of the
their achievements this year making Exmouth
a winner.
Antiques
Roadshow
The
visit to film BBC Antiques Roadshow on 27th
September was another big plus for Exmouth.
This will provide prime time coverage for
Exmouth when it goes out on a Sunday at the
end of November (hoped to be 25th
November). With a day of full sunshine and
a crew of great stewards from the Rotary Club
of Exmouth and Exmouth Town Council and entertainment
for the queue – it was a great day enjoyed
by all involved. The Town Council supported
Simon Findell-Hawkins at the Pavilion who
did a great job in pulling all the many arrangements
together and provided up to £750 for local
expenses. Of that the Pavilion will claim
just over £400. A small cost compared to
the large amount of publicity Exmouth will
receive from the programme when it is broadcast.
Exmouth
Festival Planning and Exmouth Rotary Kite
Festival
The
Exmouth Festival working party is in full
swing and plans for a great festival next
year are well in hand. A whole team of volunteers
is helping programme the Festival which next
year will be extended to include the May half
term week. Don’t book a holiday that week
– stay in Exmouth! There will be a huge amount
of activities for you and your families to
enjoy. Sponsorship is being generously provided
again by Stagecoach and Devon Cliffs which
will help us to make sure that the festival
is the best we can possibly make it. If
you are interested in volunteering to be a
part of the Exmouth Festival, either to help
in the planning, the running, or both please
email volunteers@exmouthfestival.org.uk
for all other Festival details, please see
www.exmouthfestival.org.uk. Following
straight after the Exmouth Festival is the
Exmouth Rotary Kite Festival weekend 31st
May / 30th June. More details
on this 2nd annual event on www.exmouthrotarykitefestival.co.uk
Exmouth
Town Management
Suzanne
Birkett has joined our Town Manager, Tony
Collins to complete the team based at the
Town Hall for Exmouth Town Management. Suzanne
will work part time supporting the Partnership
Board and Action Groups, as well as playing
an active role in some of the projects that
have recently been set out by the Partnership
Board in the current 3 year business plan.
Hans
and Margaret Plomp – Honorary Citizens
Exmouth
Town Council joined with Devon Cliffs to celebrate
the 50 years of visits by Hans and Margaret
Plomp from Holland to Devon Cliffs Holiday
Park and Exmouth. They have been members
of the congregation of Tower Street Methodist
Church many times over the years and have
many friends there. It was not surprising
therefore that the Mayor Councillor Joy Whipps
presented a certificate to them which granted
them Honorary Citizenship of Exmouth in recognition
of their loyalty to the town over many years.
Creative
Coasts
Exmouth
Town Council will be hosting a Devon wide
conference on 20th November in
the town to look at the issues facing coastal
towns in the County. A keynote speaker will
be Mark Horton one of the presenters from
BBCs Coast programme. The conference follows
in the wake of the Government’s disappointing
response to the Parliamentary Committee of
Enquiry which visited Exmouth last year.
The Conference will explore the issues which
are common to Coastal Towns and look at action
which they can take together to raise awareness
of what needs to be done to support them in
the future.
Doyle
Centre
A
meeting is planned to look at the future of
the Doyle Centre with representatives of the
Community with an interest in the Community
uses on the site being invited. The County
Council is clear that at this point in time
it has no preconceived plans for the site
and is wishing to discuss options with community
representatives to see what may be possible
with community support. Nothing has been
ruled out at this stage and no decisions have
been made.
Jim
Shapter’s Passing
The
flag flew at half mast outside the Town Hall
on the day of Jim’s funeral. He is remembered
by the Town Council as a former Councillor
who was independent and saw himself as a representative
of ‘Exmouth People’. Jim was never afraid
to state his opinions and to investigate issues
- always digging deep to find the answers.
A well known and mischievous Exmouth Character
with a sparkle in his eye - the turn out at
his funeral said it all.
by
the Town Clerk
Town info
