Council Leader John Hart to visit Exeter next week
Devon County Council leader John Hart is to visit Exeter next week as part his tour of Devon to hear how the authority can help local people improve local life.
For the past three years Mr Hart has staged successful consultation events across the county. 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 are focusing 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.
Mr Hart will be at St Sidwells Community Centre on Sidwell Street at 6:30pm, Tuesday 20th November.
However if you are unable to attend, there is also the opportunity for communities to get involved on the website www.devon.gov.uk/localchoices, and through discussion boards and twitter @devoncc #ycyc
