Health And Medical Services

The Health and Medical Services get a congratulatory pat on the back. The service provided by the doctors are rated good by 65% or reasonable by 28% and poor by only 4%. The District Nurse is also well appreciated. The other services are generally well liked, but little used.

It is worth noting that a significant number of people occasionally find it difficult to get to the doctor, optician or hospital.

The standard of the ambulance service is an area of concern. Of the 388 people who gave an opinion only one third thought the service was good with over a quarter rating it as poor. There is clearly an important area here which needs addressing.

Tourism

Of the 529 responses to the question: "Should more tourism be encouraged in and around Chulmleigh parish?", 368 people (70%) felt that there should be more tourism. The idea receiving the most enthusiastic response was for the 'Tarka' trail, nearly 70% in favour of this development.

The table shows the developments that people would like to see.

This table indicates the number of people who ticked each category for what they thought were suitable developments for tourism. Perhaps not too surprisingly walking and rambling were top of the list.

Local Countryside And Environment

Of overwhelming significance was your concern about the dogs mess in the parish. The message is clear, a solution has to be found to this anti-social practice.

Many parishoners are also concerned about: disturbances (183 people); on/off road loading (168 people); vandalism (230 people); low flying aircraft (168 people) and people playing in the road (142 people).

Ways should be found to considerably improve the situation in the above areas to make our community a more pleasant place in which to live.

The community is concerned about the 'spiders web' of above ground cables. Some 80% of parishoners would like to see overhead wires replaced by underground cables.

It was pleasing to note that many of you would like to see the development of a nature reserve, a community orchard and wildflower meadows.

Retail And Other Services

The refuse collection and mains electricity supply deserve congratulations. Over 60% of parishioners believe the service is good. Road cleaning and public toilets fared worst with over 40% considering these services poor.

Other areas not highly regarded included road maintenance, verge maintenance and litter bin provision.

The emergency fire service is outstanding with 86% of parishioners of the view that the standard is good. Compare this with only 7% believing the standard of the police is good. 60% of parishioners believe the police service is poor. When asked more specifically about police coverage in Chulmleigh 390 people (75%) thought it was poor and only 8 people (2%) thought it was good. There is considerable concern regarding police coverage and this and the ambulance service (mentioned previously) are two areas which appear to need urgent attention.

Parishioners would like to see a night service developed at the bank (63%), however more importantly they would like an automatic cash dispenser (75%).

Yes, 70% or 358 people would like a petrol station in Chulmleigh. Many of you like to support local shops, but mainly for last minute items. You believe it saves time and transport costs and enjoy the social contact.

Transport And Highways

The railway is poorly supported with only 15 people indicating they often use it to travel to work/study. The major occasional uses were for social/leisure activities and shopping.

Over 80% of households have one or more cars. In answer to "Does Chulmleigh need a car park?" a handful of respondents thought we already had one. Despite this, out of 519 parishioners replying, 426 people (82%) thought that Chulmleigh needed a car park and over 80% of these people wanted it to be a short walk from Chulmleigh centre. However not many of you were able to pinpoint a suitable site! One of the more imaginative suggestions was to turn Davey Park into an attractive car park.

Speeding traffic is a problem for 43% of Chulmleigh. We now need to locate the area(s).

Sport, Social And Entertainment

The areas of play, recreation, social, indoor sports and youth facilities did not generally receive a high recommendation. Play, recreational and social facilities were particularly poor for the 15-24 age range.

Indoor sports facilities were considered to be poor by more than 40% of people in all areas and as high as 59% for the 15 - 24 year olds. 45% or more rated as poor the following facilities for the youth of Chulmleigh - advice and support, places to meet, arts facilities established youth organisations and transport.

Support for art developments was encouraging, 216 people would like to see a shop for local arts and crafts. Regular theatre performances would be supported by 38% of the parishioners and 47% would like regular cinema shows. There was a lot of support for a studio theatre, local museum, music rehearsal spaces, art galleries and a dance studio.

It was surprising to discover that 44 people would be prepared to train as a volunteer lifeguard for the community swimming pool. This is good news provided we can find you!

The responses to Chulmleigh Old Fair was very much in favour of a greater variety of attractions. It seems that people would like it to largely remain the same, but become more traditional. A number of people wanted the fair to become a more major tourist event. Fewer people felt it should become more commercial and profitable.

Wallingbrook Hall was considered to be in need of modernisation, but the next highest number of responses was that it should be demolished and developed with housing. This is an important issue which needs resolving in the near future by the people of Chulmleigh. Some 39% of people felt the Town Hall was inadequate.

Information, Religion And Local Government

Not many of you look at the Parish Notice Board more than five times a month (18%). However, 71% felt that residents and visitors needed more information.

Our churches are most highly valued for their baptisms, weddings and funerals, however, 273 people felt our churches were important as historic buildings. Other areas considered important were regular services (235), festivals and special events (232), family and marriage issues (125), spiritual enlightenment (121) and children's activities (111).

A table shows your response as to whether you would be prepared to pay a slightly higher parish council tax to meet some of the needs of Chulmleigh.

The Future

How would you like to see Chulmleigh develop? This table shows your answers.