Below: Older newsletters
Newsletter
12 October 2005
Unlocking
Exmouth
Following the initial consultation on ‘Unlocking Exmouth’
(regeneration proposals for the town) the revised proposals
are now being made public. There has been a lot of coverage
in the local press and all documents are available on
the East Devon Website. Easy links are available from
www.exmouth.gov.uk . Full public consultation begins
on 24th October and plans are already on display in
a shop being provided for the purpose at 56 Exeter Road.
From 24th October Exmouth Town Council and key stakeholders
and members of the public will be able to see and study
the report and will be invited to respond.
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Visitor
Centre
The Feasibility Study for the Visitor Centre proposed
for interpreting the World Heritage Site and Exe Estuary
is now available. Copies can be seen at the Town Hall.
The preferred location is the back of the Imperial Recreation
Ground. The project has been warmly welcomed as a way
forward for Exmouth which will provide a stunning focal
point for the town. It is seen as the primary focus
for regenerating the town providing new opportunities
for the economy and a centre for understanding the environment
and climate change. The £8 million scheme will
need strong local support as the next stage of ‘Market
Testing’ is embarked upon. Strong partnership working
between the Town, District and County Councils, World
Heritage Site Team, South West Regional Development
Agency, Exmouth Community College, the RSPB and many
others has brought the scheme to its current stage.
The local Project Promotion Group led by Captain David
Conway is pressing hard to keep on track, the momentum,
determination and focus needed to deliver the scheme.
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Exmouth
in Bloom
The town can be justly proud that this year it won the
larger towns category of South West in Bloom. What an
effort by all concerned. It didn’t happen by accident
– it happened because the Exmouth in Bloom Committee
volunteers worked their socks off, the Street Scene
Department were professional and organised, our nurseries
provided excellent flower tower displays and the guys
who do the watering at silly hours in the morning worked
their magic to provide fabulous displays. The co-ordination
of street furniture painting, the banners, the prevention
and removal of fly-posting and graffiti, our neat railway
station - all adds up to a complete picture which makes
Exmouth the tops.
See some photos
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Town
Hall – One Stop Shop
Visitors to the Town Hall will be very aware of the
works being carried out. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
At the end of it all, there will be a new larger passenger
lift and decoration throughout the public areas to bring
it up to the standard of the reception. Many people
have commented on how much better the new reception
is. Disabled access is now through the front door. We
appreciate that this can be tricky but our staff will
always respond to requests for assistance and a bell
is provided for this purpose. In the next few weeks
a computer information point for public use will be
available in the reception to allow access to information
on the web. The Exmouth Website will provide the home
page from which all Exmouth information can be accessed.
This is being paid for from the Quality Parish Council
grant which the Council was successful in obtaining
earlier in the year.
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World
Heritage Site Banners
The banners which have beautified the town over the
Summer are being taken down for the winter period. They
have been a great success and a credit to the work of
Exmouth Community College students. It was disappointing
that some young people intent on destroying the good
work, did damage to some banners at the Orcombe Point
end of the Esplanade. Changes will be made for next
year to ensure that the banners will fly again at Orcombe
Point. We are just glad that the majority of young people
in the town are well motivated and capable of great
things. We can only hope that those responsible will
one day feel some shame about their miserable behaviour.
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Exmouth
(Crazy Umbrellas) Festival
Next year’s preparations for the Exmouth Festival are
well in hand with more colour and crazy umbrellas than
ever before. The late May bank holiday will be the Festival
weekend again with a full programme running through
the summer on alternate weekends. In the 10th year of
the Town Council we will be looking at 10 events over
the summer, run from the Performance Stage. The brochure
is being designed and will be circulated in the Herald
to every household in Exmouth just before the festival
begins.
See
many photos over the years
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Knappe
Cross Community Association – Brixington Lane
- Pines Road
The Town Council has been engaging over the last year
with local community representatives to help find solutions
to public disturbance issues in the Pines Road / Brixington
Lane area. Police, District and County representatives
and the County Youth service have been working jointly
to find ways forward both for the residents and the
young people involved. On the one hand bad behaviour
of some young people is unacceptable and is being dealt
with by the police and Environmental Health through
prosecutions, nuisance and ASBO processes. On the other
it is recognised that facilities for teenagers are lacking
in the large residential area of Brixington. The Knappe
Cross Community Association had been struggling for
some time to keep things going and their hard work is
really appreciated. A new team has taken on the responsibilities
and is determined to turn the Knappe Cross Hall into
a going concern. The Town Council has agreed to provide
a grant of £5,000 to help with security issues
for the hall with another loan of £5,000 promised
if required. It is hoped that by securing the hall and
with other measures being taken in the area that real
improvements can be made for the benefit of all concerned.
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Youth
Issues
A group of young people attended the Council meeting
with demands for more facilities for young people. Good
for them to come in and state their case! Some good
points were made but comments were also made to remind
them that all things need to be worked for and resources
obtained. New facilities for young people will not arrive
on a plate because it seems to be a good idea.
The
County Council are currently working on turning the
Exmouth Leisure Centre in Imperial Road into a young
peoples’ venue at significant cost. It is noted too
that there is a need to review the skate park and equipment
provided in Phear Park.
Young
people will be consulted directly on the Unlocking Exmouth
proposals and can give their views during the consultation
period at the shop in Exeter Road. So young people in
Exmouth – your chance to say what you think is important
for you is here – tell the authorities what you need
and what is most important to you but realise that all
things have to be prioritised and recognise that the
money to pay for these things has to be raised from
somewhere.
If
it doesn’t come from Council Tax then it must come from
grants from other bodies or money from private sector
development. Exmouth Action Group is setting up a sub-group
to specifically look at the youth issues of the town
with a view to developing a much clearer action plan
for the future than currently exists.
Contact
Exmouth Town Council
For
more information – contact the Town Clerk on 01395 276167
or contact your Local Councillor. For all your local
information needs go to www.exmouth.gov.uk
Newsletter
11 June 2005
MAKING
PLANS:
Unlocking
Exmouth
The
last few months have been a time for making plans for
the future of Exmouth and progress continues with ‘Unlocking
Exmouth’ consultations.
South West
Shoreline Centre
Importantly,
a feasibility study is currently being carried out by
Locum Destination – a firm with long experience in helping
communities to develop their ideas. The idea of developing
a Visitor Attraction (Currently known as South West
Shoreline Centre) in the town is being strongly pursued.
Beneficial for residents and visitors and majoring on
the World Heritage Site and the Exe Estuary this will
be an important centre for interpreting and celebrating
the natural environment.
Town
Quay
Other
proposals arising from the community include the idea
of creating a ‘Town Quay’ at Camperdown Gut to provide
opportunities for boat and watersports users. These
are ideas which are imaginative and recognise the importance
of Exmouth as a place, not only to enjoy the local nature
but also to enjoy activity on the water.
Old Swimming
Pool Site
Planning
negotiations are continuing with the business which
wants to provide a ten pin bowling alley/leisure facility
on the old swimming pool site. The Town Council is keen
to see this scheme come to fruition but not at the expense
of poor design. The aspirations of high quality design
which were displayed in the original plans for the building
were welcomed and the new application requires some
more work before it will be acceptable on this important
seafront site.
CELEBRATING
EXMOUTH
Kittiwakes
Project
The
last few weeks have been a period of celebration in
the town. Firstly the introduction of a CCTV camera
on Straight Point beyond the Royal Marines Firing Range.
Why a camera here? To view the Kittiwakes which arrive
in significant numbers every year to nest on the cliffs.
The camera is linked back to the main reception centre
in Devon Cliffs holiday park operated by Bourne Leisure.
Visitors will be able to pan tilt and zoom the cameras
themselves to watch the Kittiwakes as they nest. Soon
the view from the camera will be broadcast on live video
stream via the internet for all who have internet connection
to see.
This
is important to Exmouth because the holiday park is
part of our town and important to the local economy.
The Town Management Partnership took the initiative
to bring together all the partners involved to make
this project happen. This included Bourne Leisure, RSPB,
Royal Marines, Eco Watch the contractors and others.
The project allows us to see how the use of cameras
to view wildlife will work so that this can be taken
forward into the South West Shoreline Centre for viewing
the winter wild bird life on the estuary. To top it
all, Exmouth received good publicity when the installation
of the camera was broadcast across the nation’s TV channels.
World Heritage
Site Banners Project
Have
you seen the beautiful banners flying proudly from new
flag poles along the seafront and in other locations?
Look out for them and look at them closely. They represent
the Jurassic, Triassic and Cretatious periods of earth
history. The designs were by pupils of Exmouth Community
College and carried out using a Batik process. The banners
are there to celebrate the position of Exmouth as Western
Gateway Town to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
They are there also to bring colour and to our seaside
town.
Exmouth
(Crazy Umbrellas) Festival
A
big thank you to everyone who attended the Exmouth Festival
over the late May Bank Holiday. With wonderful weather
and a great programme of events the Festival has proved
to be a great success yet again. The sense of community
shared with some visitors to the town was a triumph.
We have to thank our Festival Chairman Councillor Jean
Mitchell and her working party, Festival Organiser Nicky
Nicholls who put together the programme, Martin Nicholls
our amazing compare, Garth Gibson our ubiquitous Town
Crier, Perno our Stage Manager, Ishbel Ramsey the sand
castle organiser, Planet Audio for managing the sound,
Wessextrains our principal sponsor, Everys, Brian Toye
and others too many to mention. Most of all a great
thanks to the people and families of Exmouth who turned
out, got involved and created crazy umbrellas and decorated
teddy bears by the score.
Website
Information
Just
a reminder that there is a lot of good local information
available on our Exmouth websites. For the Town Council
minutes and agendas for meetings look at www.exmouth.gov.uk
This also provides links to other useful sites. Also
for a wide range of information on Exmouth go to www.exmouth-guide.co.uk
On this website you will also find details about your
Town Councillors, dates of meetings and other useful
Town Council information.
For
more information – contact the Town Clerk on 01395 276167
Email on townclerk@exmouth.gov.uk
or contact your Local Councillor.
March 10. 2005
Exmouth
Regeneration – Site west of the Railway line
and Round to Camperdown Gut
Where do things stand at the present on reviewing the
possible future uses of the outlined area west of the
railway line and round to Camperdown Gut?
Consultation meetings were held before Christmas;
A design group including a range of people with specific
skills and local knowledge has met twice and will meet
again to assess possible uses for the area with clear
links to the Town Centre.
A
report will be made initially to the Executive Board
of EDDC in April with:-
Responses from the public to the consultation;
A
further report will go the Executive Board of EDDC in
the Summer which will take account of all consultations,
responses made at the consultation evenings and suggested
design principles from the design group.
After
that a further consultation with the community will
be conducted on a design brief for this key site which
will by then be in greater detail, taking into account
all of the above responses.
Responses
for the other sites will be used to assist with creating
more detailed proposals in due course. This will not
happen straight away as the initial site is taking up
all available resource and the time of all involved
has to be prioritised.
Exmouth
Town Council Precept for the Year 2005/6
The Town Council has set its precept for the forthcoming
year at the level of £17.60 for band D Payers
which will raise income of £228,000. An increase
has been applied on last year, significantly, to assist
the Tourist Information Centre which has lost its grant
for the year 2005/6 from EDDC. The Town Council will
be making a grant to the TIC of £10,000. Also
a grant will be made of £2,000 to Exe Estuary
Partnership which also lost funding from EDDC for the
next financial year. The Town Council recognises the
importance of the Partnership for reconciling its many
uses and how essential the estuary is to Exmouth.
Community
Safety
The Town Council sees pride in the town as a key essential
to its life and economy. The budget for removing Graffiti
and fly posting and repairs to broken glass in bus shelters
is £5,000 a year. The District Council, County
Council and Police Costs are far and away above this
amount. Costs will escalate if the amount of breakages
of glass continue at the current rate. The Council Tax
Payer essentially foots the bill, so if you do see damage
being caused, acts of vandalism and graffiti being applied,
then dial 999 and ask for the police, and give them
as clear a description of the incident as possible.
Town
Hall Reception
The reception to the Town Hall has been completed by
East Devon District Council and provides a much better
welcome for all visitors to the Town Hall. Exmouth Town
Council staff are happy to greet you and will point
you in the right direction for the service which you
need. Planning applications can be viewed for Exmouth
and the surrounding area at reception.
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November 9. 2004 (Newsletter 9)
Exmouth
Regeneration
There has been no shortage of ideas for how Exmouth
should develop over the years. Many have been suggested
way before the lap top on which this newsletter is being
typed was invented. Yet much of Exmouth has stayed the
same as it was in the 50s if not before. We live in
changing times and the only development that has occurred
in the town is residential sprawl with few new facilities.
The sports centre was created some 20 years ago with
local contributions but even that is dated by modern
standards and the tennis centre is a fine facility but
a specialised one. There is no doubt that a town of
34,000 can and should expect more for its future.
New
street furniture improvements and paving treatments
have over the last few years shown how quality can be
improved in the town and the appreciation shown by many
people shows that change is possible and welcomed as
long as it is done well. The Town Station is now looking
quite respectable, giving the entrance to the town a
new sparkle and a feeling of some optimism that this
is a town that believes in itself.
The
Regeneration proposals are a brave step forward for
the town and show a sea change in thinking by the District
Council. At last it has heeded the voice of the town
and recognises the importance of looking to the future.
For the public there seems to be a healthy dose of distrust
and a paranoia born out of bad experiences of the past
when developments such as the docks and the expansion
of Brixington were allowed to grow unchecked without
any real public input. The private sector was allowed
to do what it thought was right, guided by the most
profitable result without any robust local authority
response to achieve public facilities other than children’s
play areas.
Clearly
there is a crises of confidence which has to be overcome
to move forward. There needs to be trust that the public
voice will be listened to and that there are no done
deals behind the scenes with big operators. It is ironic
though that Tesco was fought tooth and nail by many
and yet it came and the town did not die. Can you imagine
a town like Exmouth without modern shops like Tesco
and B&Q. Why then should the town die if another
supermarket is located here? On the one hand we embrace
the motor car, mobile phones and computers and shop
till we drop - the greatest ‘leisure’ activity of our
time - and yet we also fear and in some cases despise
the life style we have chosen. Can Exmouth thrive and
live in the past? Or should it embrace the opportunities
which our modern lifestyle can bring to the town. What
will our children think of us if we fail to accept the
best opportunities that our modern lifestyle can give
us?
The
consultation will continue and we implore the District
Council to give us more time to absorb and respond to
the proposals. We all need to respond positively and
not to take the ‘safe’ option of ‘do nothing’. Just
look at the state of the foreshore and the old bus station
site, look at the esplanade and much of the public space
which has not been renovated for years. Is this really
suitable for the wonderful landscape of the estuary
and the seafront and a welcome for our visitors ?
The
estuary side car parks, lorry and coach parks sterilise
the very land that offers opportunities for high quality
development with pedestrian friendly walks along the
water’s edge without traffic interference. This is a
platform from which to enjoy the view of the estuary
and the wonderful wildlife spectacles which we witness
every year from October through the winter to Spring.
Added
to this is the concept of the South West Shoreline Centre.
An idea which links in perfectly with the new plans
and provides the chance to bring significant economic
benefit to the town. This would link interpretation
of the World Heritage Site and the wildlife of the Exe
Estuary with the story of climate change told through
the history of time and linked to the changes happening
at the hand of man and the natural environment of the
‘pebble beds’. This will be a ‘national’ centre and
will undoubtedly put Exmouth well and truly on the map.
The
Town Council asks the people of Exmouth to have the
courage to support the proposals which make sense, and
to motivate those concerned to work ceaselessly to achieve
a great result for the town.
Who
makes the decisions?
In a sense the decision to regenerate the town has already
been made. Requests for action and ideas have been flowing
in thick and fast for ages. The emerging local plan
identifies that the services in the town are insufficient
for a town the size of Exmouth and they must be allowed
to catch up. Complaints about car parking being insufficient
are often received and a car parking study, which will
be published soon, identifies options based on car parking
predictions. Remedies to this can only be funded from
private sector finance.
The
consultation will influence the type of development
which can be achieved. That is why it is important that
every group, organisation and individual take an interest
and say what they think. Decisions will be influenced
by Exmouth Joint Forum made up of elected members from
all three Councils. The District Council, as statutory
Planning Authority and land owner, and the County Council,
as statutory Highways Authority, will have the responsibility
for making the final decisions. Some may say that the
decisions should be made in Exmouth. The fact is that
the East Devon District Council with specific statutory
powers has to weigh up all the information and views
available to it and will make the final decisions with
the other Principle Authority, Devon County Council.
The
views of the electorate will weigh heavily in all decisions
which need to be made taking into account the interests
of the town as a whole, the economic good of the area
and in the greater public interest.
The
Old Swimming Pool Site
The Town Council has given its blessing to the development
of the old swimming pool site for a ten pin bowling
alley and children’s soft play area. Planning permission
has already been given for a modern glazed building
using the ‘Wave’ design with which many will now be
familiar. It is hoped that the private developer concerned
will be able to begin work very soon to provide the
first new facility for some time which will provide
all year round facilities for residents and visitors
alike.
Finances
of the Local Authorities
The time of year is on us when consideration is once
again given to Council Tax Levels. To show you the differences
between the authorities it is interesting to see the
budget levels and Council Tax raised by each per year.
Expenditure
of the three authorities is at the following levels:-
Exmouth Town Council £200,000
East Devon District Council £45m including £22m
for Housing Benefits refundable by the Government.
Devon County Council £851m
Council
Tax for each band d property works out per annum at:-
£16 for Town Council
£102 for District Council
£900 for Devon County Council
The
District Council has kept its Council Tax at the lowest
level in Devon and now cannot raise this to meet its
deficit, otherwise it will be capped by the Government.
Central Government Grant has been reduced and the District
Council therefore faces a serious deficit, so tough
choices are likely to be needed in the next few years.
One of the consequences facing the Town Council is that
money which it was receiving from the District Council
is expected to dry up. If some services are to be at
least maintained at current levels, then it will have
to raise its share of the Council Tax to meet these
costs. The Exmouth Festival is already being reduced
in scale, as the grant from the District has been withdrawn
for this year. The Chamber of Trade needs further funds
to keep the Tourist Information Centre operating and
they are requesting support from the Town Council. Another
valued service, part funded by the District Council,
is the Exe Estuary Partnership. Should the Town Council
consider making some contribution towards this partnership
to help guarantee its future? These are all questions
that your Councillors will be facing in the weeks to
come.
Police
Community Support Officers
The Police Community Support Officers, with which you
will all be familiar, are part funded by the Devon and
Cornwall Constabulary and East Devon District Council.
For years people have been asking for more officers
on the beat and this initiative appears to have been
welcomed with open arms. The problem is that this has
been arranged with short term funding and the service
will continue to be at risk if sustainable long term
funding cannot be found. Now is the time to write to
the Police Authority, Secretary of State for the Home
Office and, the local MP to show how much the community
values this service and to express your concerns about
the current lack of long term funding. The Town Council
will shortly be asked to add its voice to ensuring that
the new ‘Bobbies on the Beat’ are not a flash in the
pan.
Community
Safety
Town and Parish Councils with other Local Authorities
have statutory Responsibility under S17 of the Crime
and Disorder Act with the police and other bodies for
public safety. That is why your Town Clerk and Town
Manager are both members of Exmouth Action Group the
local community safety partnership. The group has several
objectives including, bringing a joint problem solving
approach to Town Centre issues such as; graffiti, litter,
anti-social behaviour and CCTV improvements. The group
overseas partnership initiatives such as; the Exe Patrol
Boat (introduced by our own Andy Squires Community Policeman
for the Town). It has been the vehicle through which
partnerships have been developed to deal with ‘Boy Racer’
problems on the seafront and is currently focussing
on anti-social behaviour by a group of young people
in Brixington. The success of these partnerships is
testament to the commitment of all involved, and provides
a focus for problem solving by all the authorities concerned
in a way rarely achieved before.
Town
Hall Reception
The Town Hall will soon be fitted with a new reception
and offices for the Town Council funded by East Devon
District Council. This is another improvement for the
town that the Town Council has been seeking for some
years. Disabled access will be provided through the
front of the building and a modern reception will receive
the public properly. Our apologies for the inconvenience
which building works are currently causing.
Exmouth Town Council Newsletter
July 2004 (Newsletter 8)
Elections
Councillor Joy Whipps was elected to the casual vacancy
on the Town Council created by the resignation of Councillor
Phil Niccol. Joy will be one of the five Halsdon Ward
Councillors on Exmouth Town Council. If you wish to
contact her then details can be obtained from the Town
Council Office. COUNCILLORS
Exmouth Festival 2004
What a week we had from hot sunny summer sunshine to
cold autumnal gales. Audiences in the outdoor events
were duly scorched and pounded by sheets of rain. The
brave souls who turned out during the bad weather witnessed
some great events. The Westcountry Theatre Company played
a boisterous humorous and intelligent interpretation
of Shakespeare’s Much a do About Nothing to a hardy
audience.
Acker Bilk and His Paramount Jazzband played
the Pavilion to a full house with accomplished musicianship,
a joy to witness. The photographic exhibition in the
Elizabeth Hall displayed some clever and beautiful photographs.
The sandsculptures in the annual competition on the
beach were again magnificent and imaginative.
A big thank you to our sponsors East Devon
Leisure Arts development, Everys Solicitors (main private
sponsor), Exe Boat Sales, Ray Lovegrove, Thompson Jenner,
Brian Toye, Dot-Com-Computers, Pennys, Stuart Lines.
A thank you too to all who helped and volunteered in
many different ways without whom the festival would
not be possible.
Floral Exmouth
The flowers in the town are once again looking magnificent.
Exmouth in Bloom provide the boats in Marine Way and
hanging baskets in the town centre and other floral
decorations, Exmouth Town Council provide all the Exmouth
blue flower towers and East Devon District Council are
responsible for all the parks and gardens displays including
the Strand, Chapel Hill roundabout and outside the Town
Hall. A lot of hard work and care and maintenance ensures
that the standard is kept up throughout the season.
The
Strand Shelter
The Town Council once again discussed, at a recent meeting,
whether or not the Strand Shelter should be demolished.
A motion from a previous meeting was deferred to allow
members of the public the opportunity to comment. A
small number responded via the local newspaper and direct
to the Town Council stating strongly that the shelter
should be saved. The resulting withdrawal of the motion
has left the Council in a position where it is unable
at present to make a decision one way or the other.
The general view seems to be that a shelter is necessary
in the Strand but that this could be of much lighter
construction and without walls. In the longer term the
Exmouth Joint Forum has already made a decision to support
the creation of a Piazza in the Strand and each of the
authorities have backed the principal of the scheme.
However funding continues to be a problem and the scheme
does not at this stage register highly amongst other
priorities.
Performance Stage
The new Performance Stage in the Manor Gardens has proved
to be a great asset for the 9 days of the Exmouth Festival.
Some bookings have been made for the use of the Stage
at other times but we would like to see local organisations
making really good use of it. We hope that organisations
when planning their next year’s programmes will include
performances/exhibitions on the stage. It is a wonderful
asset with full power supply added and full shelter
from the rain. Bookings can be made through the Exmouth
Town Council. There are some conditions but no direct
charge. Some confusion seems to have arisen over this
point but this can be clarified by talking directly
to the Town Clerk.
Meanwhile bookings for the next month include:-
19th July - 7.00pm - Exmouth Town Concert Band
20th July - 7.15pm -City of Exeter Railway Band - Provisional
1st August - 7.00pm - Devon and Dorset Regimental Band
Concert
2nd August - 7.45pm Sam Eliot big Band - Provisional
The concerts are open to all. Just bring your picnic
chair and enjoy the music.
World
Heritage Site
Plans for the World Heritage Site are progressing well
with Exmouth’s place as a primary gateway town being
fully recognised. Opportunities arising from the designation
of the site are being considered and plans are being
developed for a high quality interpretation centre at
Orcombe Point linked with a restaurant. Development
Plans for the Estuary Side are also to be pursued with
the private sector. Public gain will be sought and an
interpretation centre for the internationally recognised
Exe Estuary with links to the WHS centre are being looked
at. The Town is on the threshold of some exciting opportunities
which will continue the improvements it has embarked
upon.
Financial Grants
The Town Council has recently made grants to the following
local organisations:-
Danby Garden Project
Exmouth War Memorial Fund
Exmouth Museum Society
South West Brass Band Festival
Ring and Ride
Exmouth Rugby Club
Exmouth Cricket Club
Home Start Exmouth
Exmouth Community College - Balalaika Group
Centre Stage
Exmouth Carnival
Citizens Advice Bureau
These grants are made from a budgeted amount set aside
each year for the support of organisations generally
involved with sports, recreation, social need and the
arts.
Exmouth Christmas Illuminations
Exmouth Town Council will again contribute £6,750 towards
the annual Christmas Illuminations with the rest of
the cost being met from contributions from local businesses.
Their contributions are important and much appreciated
as with business help it is possible to ensure that
Exmouth continues the tradition of excellent Christmas
lights each year. The arrangements are made by a partnership
between Exmouth Town Council and Exmouth Chamber of
Trade and Commerce.
Weddings
The Town Council has supported the continuation of the
licensing of Exmouth Town Hall for Marriages. Whilst
weddings can be conducted these days in many locations,
it is considered that the Town Hall should remain as
a place where those who chose can get married. The Council
Chamber provides a pleasant place to be married with
fine photo opportunities available in the Manor Gardens.
Whilst the registrars only have a sub-office in Exmouth,
the service is considered to be an important one for
local people and is fully supported by the Town Council.
For more information contact the Town Clerk,
your local Councillor or look on our website http://www.exmouth-guide.co.uk/
Email on townclerk@exmouth.gov.uk
Call: 01395 276167.- Fax 01395 276168
Febuary 2004 (Newsletter 7)
Budget 2004
The Town Council has set a budget for the year 2004/5.
It decided that £207,087 needed to be raised to meet
the needs of the Council for the forthcoming year with
a precept of £16.34. This is still among the lowest
Council Tax of the larger Towns and Parishes within
the District of East Devon. 86% of income is received
from Council Tax paid by Exmouth Council Tax payers
with the remaining 14% being raised from rents, partnership
agreements and income from the festival which pays directly
for the costs of the festival. Expenditure equates to
44% on administration to cover salaries and costs of
running the office with 8% on accommodation, 9% grants
to local organisations, 12% on Town Maintenance and
related schemes such as Flower Tower Provision, 12%
for Town Management, 8% the cost of running the Exmouth
Festival, 1% to cover election costs and 3% the cost
of the Gorfin Hall which is offset by rental income
and 3% for civic costs.
Performance Stage – Manor Gardens
The Performance Stage in the Manor Gardens will be completed
by the end of February. Anyone wishing to book the Stage
should contact the Town Clerk and an application form
will be provided. All local organisations, schools and
performers of all shapes and sizes are encouraged to
make use of this super new stage and turn the Manor
Gardens into a place of character and life at the heart
of the town.
Welcome to Exmouth Signs
The new signs provided by the Town Council are now in
place to make a warm welcome to everyone visiting or
returning to Exmouth. The signs acknowledge our twin
towns of Dinan and Langerwehe and that Exmouth is a
Gateway Town to the World Heritage Site.
Exmouth Festival 2004
Looking forward to the Summer? Then put the date in
your diary 19th to 27th June for Exmouth Festival 2004.
A full programme of events, some old and some new are
being programmed in. Some top line names are being lined
up for the Pavilion and picnics in the park together
with lots of local talent from our town. Keep your eyes
open for the Festival brochure which will be out in
May.
Mayor’s Annual Charity Ball – Tickets are
now on sale at the Pavilion for this event on 3rd April.
It promises to be an enjoyable evening with live band
and entertainment. Anyone can come along or book a table.
Tickets are reasonably priced so why not join us for
this not to be missed Exmouth event – tickets from the
Pavilion.
Annual Town Meeting – The Annual Town Meeting will be
held on Monday 15th March 2004 at 7.00pm in the Council
Chamber, Town Hall, Exmouth. It is open to all electors
of Exmouth so why not come along and have your say about
all things to do with Exmouth. A copy of the Annual
Report 2004 is available free of charge from the Town
Clerk. Some of the successes of the past year in Partnership
with Town Management and other organisations include:-
• Installation of new welcome signs;
• Building of new Performance Stage – Manor Gardens;
• Achieved Quality Status – among the first in the Country
to win this status;
• Dedication of Avocet Line and station improvements;
• Continuing success of the Exmouth Festival;
• Representations on various topics of concern affecting
the town such as shortfall of dentists and oil transfers
in Lyme Bay.
Read the Annual report to find out more about what the
Town Council has been doing.
Town Councillors
If you need to contact your ward councillor then you
can obtain contact information from the Town Council
Office, or on your local noticeboard. COUNCILLORS
Town Council Notice Boards
New notice boards have been provided jointly by the
Town and District Councils in various areas of Exmouth.
Their locations are:-
• Tennyson Way/Byron Way
• Liverton Close
• The Crescent, Littleham
• Jervis Close on the green by the public conveniences
• Littledown Close, Littleham
• Palmer House, Churchill Road
If you wish to put up notices then either your local
tenants association or the Town Clerk will arrange to
do so, upon receipt.
Town Hall
From 15th March, all general enquiries and enquiries
to look at planning applications will be dealt with
by the Town Council. The District Council will have
an office for Street Scene matters, booking of BBQs
and the Elizabeth Hall at their depot at Camperdown.
In the Summer improvements will be carried out at the
Town Hall and the Town Council Offices will move to
the other side of the ground floor to manage the reception.
One of the main reasons for the changes will be to provide
disabled access to the building through the front doors
and better more modern reception of the public at the
Town Hall.
For more information contact the Town Clerk, your local
Councillor or look on our website http://www.exmouth-guide.co.uk/
Email on townclerk@exmouth.gov.uk
Call: 01395 276167.- Fax 01395 276168
November 2003 (Newsletter 6)
Budget 2004
The Town Council is currently setting its
budget for the forthcoming year. The first draft suggested
an increase which the Council wished to see reduced.
The Council is conscious of the increases likely to
come from the larger Local Authorities, to meet their
service demands. Unlike the bigger authorities, the
Town Council does not receive any Government Grant and
has to raise money from the Council Tax Payers of Exmouth
in order to deliver its services. You will see from
the following that staffing is not high at the Town
Council, however it has been possible to focus attention
on the needs of the Town with some success. The Council
is justifiably proud of its achievements since its creation
just 7 years ago and is determined to keep pushing for
investment in the town to address the lack of services
which have failed to keep up with recent, excessive
residential growth
Avocet Line
On 26th October a party of nearly 100 (representing
some 20 local organisations) were part of the ceremony
to adopt the Exeter to Exmouth Railway line. This is
now to be known as the Avocet Line. The adoption brought
about station improvements along the line and a branding
which will boost the economy of the Town. It was a pleasure
to see East Devon District Council, Devon County Council,
Exmouth Town Council, Exmouth Town Management, Exeter
City Council, Wessex Rail, RSPB and other organisation
working in partnership on this project. We all worked
together to celebrate one of the most attractive railway
lines in the country, situated on the internationally
important River Exe and World Heritage Gateway.
Opportunities now exist to build on this
branding for the benefit of the town and to send out
the message about our great town far and wide. Our Exmouth
Avocet train is working daily on the South West Rail
network carrying the Exmouth message across the region.
Exmouth Town Council ensured the provision
of one new shelter on the station by making a substantial
contribution towards its cost. The result : an attractive
and strong new shelter, more fitting for the high profile
site. The other shelter has been refurbished but hopefully
it too will be replaced soon.
Regeneration of Exmouth
The Town Council welcomes the commitment of the new
Corporate Director or the Environment at East Devon
District Council, Karime Hassan, and his active support
for bringing appropriate new development to Exmouth.
It is important that the town unites behind him when
consultations start on schemes to provide clear local
guidance. His suggestion is that a planning brief for
the London Inn Car Park should take place first before
the Estuary Side scheme. A project brief will be constructed
in the New Year. This will allow local people to be
more involved in decision making. This time is one of
real opportunity for Exmouth; a time for positive, creative
thought and, a ‘Can do’ approach to ensure that the
future Exmouth is a prosperous and attractive town.
Performance Stage – Manor gardens
Some said, “it will never happen !”
Some said, “pigs might fly !”
Some said, “no one will ever agree on the location !”
These sceptics were wrong, as we can see, now that building
works have started and the new Performance Stage will
be in place before Christmas. This was another joint
project by East Devon District Council with support
from Exmouth Town Council and again proves that town
and district can work together.
The Stage will be used for events during the festival
and will also be available all year long. We hope to
encourage local groups and organisations wishing to
come into our town to perform here. If you would like
to put on a performance of any kind on the Performance
Stage then please contact the Town Clerk, so that a
programme of events can be constructed.
New Town Approach Signs
The Town Council is providing new town approach signs
on Exeter Road, Salterton Road and Hulham Road. These
should also be in place before Christmas - so look out
for them. The design of these signs is unique to Exmouth
and will provide an exciting new gateway to our town.
They will show visitors that they are entering a special,
friendly town which is warm, welcoming and well worth
the visit.
Cycle/Pedestrian Way – Marine Way
In yet another partnership achievement, Devon County
Council are constructing first stretch of the Exmouth
to Exeter Cycle way as part of the National Cycle Network.
This new link will be designated ‘The Avocet Cycle Way’
to tie in with the new rail branding. It will be a combined
pedestrian and cycle route so helping all who are often
seen walking down Marine Way.
Bus Shelters
The County Council has completed the provision of new
bus shelters in the town along main entry and exit routes.
The Town Council Town Maintenance Partnership with the
District and County Councils ensures that they are kept
clean and in good repair.
Working with the University
Our Town Mayor has reformed the partnership with the
University of Plymouth in Exmouth. We look forward to
exploring ways in which the University can help the
Town and the Town can help the University. We are fortunate
to have a University in Exmouth. This new partnership
will help us to find opportunities and to open honest
dialogue when needed. The Town is reassured that the
University has a future here and will go on for many
years despite earlier reports.
Flower Towers
Exmouth Town Council was again active in providing flower
towers throughout the town which complimented the District
Council’s flower displays, and the efforts of Exmouth
in Bloom. There is a real determination that Exmouth
will be best in its class very soon, beating off its
long time rival - Taunton. A gold medal this year for
the second year in a row was an accolade for a wonderful
effort by all. Changes are afoot and we hope that some
new areas of the town will join in and make the difference
for next year.
Staffing
“Exmouth Town Council has a huge staff of overpaid civil
servants running it !”
This is not so, our staff consists of :
A full time Town Clerk
• A Town Manager on 27 hours, working 10 hours as Assistant
Town Clerk
(Currently on Job Share)
• *A Secretary
• *An Accounts Assistant
• *A Receptionist
(* each of these 3 are contracted to work 20 hours per
week).
• A caretaker working 8 hours per week.
• A street furniture cleaner now working 10 hours a
week.
• 2 seasonal assistants who staff the Magnolia Information
Kiosk for 4 hours a day and for 5 days a week in the
Summer Only.
• A Exmouth Festival Organiser who works 1 day a week.
The staff all work hard, are dedicated
to Exmouth and aim to give you, the Council Tax Payers,
value for money.
Exmouth Festival 2004
Put the date in your diary 19th to 27th June. Let Nicky
Nichols our new Festival Organiser know of the event
you wish to put on for the next Festival. She is looking
forward to meeting anyone interested in being part of
our annual celebration of local talent, from ceramics
to choirs, from pianists to photographers or from musicians
to magicians.
Quality Council Status
Exmouth is one of the first Town and Parish Councils
who have applied for Quality Status. The Town Clerk
was one of the first three clerks in England to obtain
the AQA Certificate in Local Administration (a prerequisite
of application for Quality Town Council Status). Five
Councils have already been granted quality status in
England and Exmouth is in the second wave of applications.
It is hoped that Quality Status will be granted later
in November. This will further demonstrate that Exmouth
Town Council meets the latest demands and expectations
being placed on it. It will provide the Principal Authorities
with confidence that the Town Council is an organisation
of substance with which they must work in partnership.
The Mayor’s Ball
April 3rd 2004 – that’s the date ! The Pavillion – that’s
the place !
Tickets are £19.50 or why not buy a table for a group
at a specially reduced price.
Listen to Sapphire (live music), be entertained
by Eden Nights and The Town Crier (our compares for
the night) and enjoy the dulcet tones of Exmouth Amateur
Operatic Society.
A Grand Raffle in aid of the Mayor’s Charity
(Exmouth Beech Rescue Club).
For more information contact the Town Clerk,
your local Councillor or look on our website www.exmouth-guide.co.uk
Email on townclerk@exmouth.gov.uk
Call: 01395 276167.
June 2003 (Newsletter 5)
Elections – 1st May 2003
At the time of the last newsletter, the elections were
before us. Unlike many of the rural parishes, Exmouth
Town Council seats were fully contested with elections
for each seat. Well done all those who were nominated
as candidates to ensure that elections were held. This
can only be good for local democracy and strengthen
the Town Council.
Whilst local elections are a sign of a
healthy democracy, the poor turnout of electors to vote
is not. Well under 50% turnout at local elections (throughout
the country) is not good and needs to be improved. What
do you think is the reason for the poor turnout? Send
any thoughts on how you think this could be improved
to Exmouth Town Council. Is electronic voting the answer?
New Councillors
If you need to know who your ward councillors are, or
the Committees on which they serve why not have a look
on WWW.exmouth-guide.gov.uk and look at the Exmouth
Town Council section where you will find all the relevant
information. If you are not on computer you can obtain
copies from the Town Council office.
Town info
