Sporting chance for Sidmouth – and YOU can vote

Residents of the area covered by Sidmouth Town Council, which includes Sidbury, Sidford and Salcombe Regis, are being invited to vote on how they would spend £250,000 available for sports provision in an event being held on Friday 6 December.

Sidmouth Town Council and East Devon District Council are taking their voting stall to Sidmouth late night shopping on Friday 6 December from 5pm to 8pm in the area near the Sidmouth Market and the Sidmouth Christmas tree, opposite Fields department store.

The money has come from developers who have built new homes in the parish (Section 106 funding). Every new property built has to contribute some money towards sport and play and Sidmouth has accumulated £250,000. EDDC follows the groundbreaking approach of letting the communities themselves decide how the money is spent.

An appeal for ideas earlier this year produced a range of suggestions from Sidmouth Parish residents, organisations, voluntary and community groups. Those that were eligible for funding form the proposals now available for voting.

These include an outdoor gym, multi use games area, improvements to rugby, cricket and football, an adventure trail, cycle routes and outdoor table tennis tables. The proposals gaining the most votes will be the ones which get the go-ahead.

Any age

All people voting must be present at the event itself. Residents of any age can vote as long as they live within the area covered by Sidmouth Town Council which includes Sidmouth, Sidbury, Sidford and Salcombe Regis.

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.

Councillor Iain Chubb, EDDC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said:

“We are committed to making sure that local people have their say about where money from developments in their parish gets spent. We’ve had some great suggestions. I would urge residents to put the date in their diaries and come and vote. The projects that get the most votes will be delivered, so you really can make a difference”.

The Chairman of Sidmouth Town Council, Councillor John Hollick, commented:

“Sidmouth has had a number of developments over the years which have promised funding for sports. The public now get to have a say in how to spend that money. I would encourage everyone to take part - don’t waste this opportunity to have your say!”.

SUMMARY OF PROJECTS

How would you spend £250,000 on sport in the Sidmouth Town Council area?

There is £250,000 available in total. All the funding has been accumulated from recent housing developments in the Parish (Section 106 money). It is now decision time for you on how this money is spent: • £150,000 for ideas put forward by the community • £100,000 available for Sidmouth Town Councils strategic projects.

Which community projects would you most like to be funded with the £150,000 available?

You can choose no more than three projects. The combined total can be above or below £150,000.

A. A new all-weather multi use games in the north of Sidmouth (possibly Stowford area) including markings and goals for sports such as basketball, netball and five a side football. Project cost: £50,000.

B. All age outdoor gym equipment in Sidmouth, free to use. This would be traditional gym equipmnent suitable for outdoor use. Project cost: £15,000.

C. Repainting the courts at Sidford Tennis Club to make sure the surface is good enough for people to continue to play tennis. Applying for: £6,000 Total project cost: £8,000.

D. Improvement of Sidmouth Rugby Clubs two pitches and training area at Sidford. This would level the field and put in a drainage system. Applying for: £40,000 Total project cost: £190,000.

E. A new all weather multi use games area in central or lower Sidmouth including markings and goals for sports such as basketball, netball, five a side football and skill walls. Project cost: £60,000.

F. Outdoor table tennis tables in Sidmouth. These would be permanently fixed into the ground. Project cost: £8,000.

G. Replacing the broken training lights at Sidmouth Amateur Football Club so they can train safely on dark evenings. Project cost: £1,600.

H. Levelling the current cricket outfield and refurbishing the practice nets at Sidmouth Cricket Club to allow for more coaching and competitive matches. Project cost: £25,000.

I. Adding an all-weather strip to the edge of the cricket square at Sidbury Cricket Club to allow more people to play. Project cost: £9,000.

There is £100,000 available for Sidmouth Town Council’s more strategic projects. You get to pick which one gets the money.

Which strategic project would you most like to see funded with the £100,000 available?

You can choose one of the two following projects.

A. Improvements to cycling around Sidmouth. A cycle route linking some residential areas with the Woolbrook area, in particular to allow easier cycling to school and college. Including improved cycle parking at the schools and loca; shops. It might be the first part of a future Sidmouth to Feniton cycle route.

B. An adventure activity area for children and adults. A selection of sports activities all in one place like a fitness trail, climbing wall, outdoor gym equipment. People will also be asked for their postcode to make sure they live in the area covered by Sidmouth Town Council, and their age so we can make sure we have votes from all groups.

People will also be asked for their postcode to make sure they live in the area covered by Sidmouth Town Council, and their age so we can make sure we have votes from all groups.