[DF&F Main Menu] [Community Profiles Menu] [Community Appraisals Menu] Milton Abbot Village Appraisal Report 1998 Index INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION There were numerous suggestions as to how to make newcomers welcome - some of them listed here. Free pack and list of clubs, to include clubs, shops, pub, bus times, visiting facilities, fish shop van, veg., rubbish collection, milkmen, dentist, tradesmen etc. A welcome call to new residents. Parish magazine with free pack listing all the above, local people could let distributors know about new residents. ‘Welcome’visit from Vicar for new residents. 39 people do not get the Parish Magazine, which may indicate a distribution problem, and there were also many comments asking for a wider role for the Parish Magazine. ‘OK as it is’ ‘Never read it’ ‘Less centred around religious matters’ ‘Are the Parish Council the same as the P.C.C?’ ‘Perhaps the Parish Mag.could carry reports of the meetings?’ ‘Local secular news’ ‘Parish Council news’ Action Plan: The Parish magazine might be expanded and more widely distributed if costs could be met. Index Top PARISH COUNCIL A surprising lack of interest in the Parish Council emerged. A high percentage (66%) know either no Councillors or only one; 82% have never been to a Parish Council meeting, and 68% do not know how the PC spends its money. However, 65% of respondents do not want Council taxes raised so that more money could be given to the Parish to spend on Milton Abbot. There is a perception here that the Parish Council must improve its profile and publicity to raise public awareness. Index Top TWINNING Twinning proved an unpopular issue, with 63% not wanting to twin at all. ‘Depends if they are at war’ Index Top ARCHIVE/MUSEUM 64 people thought this should be set up, with 54 people wanting it sited at the Village Hall. ‘In basement of Methodist Chapel’ ‘Separate buildings’ ‘Own site, don’t know where’ NOTE: Arrangements are underway with M.A.D. to build up a ‘fighting fund’ to provide a financial base for a Building/Refurbishment Fund. Index Top MILLENNIUM 57 people thought a new Village Hall might be a good way to do this, 48 wanted a street party and 32 wanted to establish a new open space as a Millennium Green. Only 5 people wanted no celebration. ‘Millennium garden and benches’ Children’s play equipment’ ‘Tidy up our current Green and plant flowers’ ‘Upgrade existing village hall’ ‘Refurbish and/or build play area for children, (keeps children off the streets and out of mischief’ NOTE: It would seem to be too late to build a new hall, but a street party might be easier? Wait for warmer weather? Last year’s Millennium proposals have been reactivated, and sent forward to the Lottery Fund via the Borough Council. Index Top VOLUNTEER SELF HELP SCHEMES 33 people would like to participate in such a scheme, with offers of transport provision offered by 13 people, visiting housebound/reading to blind offered by 14 people, and practical help (shopping/cooking/walking dog etc) offered by 17 people. 10 people in the village would like the support of these services This scheme might, therefore, be worthy of consideration. ‘Our pub, post office shop and church does all this’ ‘Maybe might help’ Index Top THE DEVELOPMENT OF MILTON ABBOT 65% felt that the village should develop as a balanced community, rather than stay as it is (29%), or become a working community (20%); only 9% thought it should become a tourist centre. ‘To be more in touch with the younger generation’ ‘Retain its unique character, no change for the sake of change’ ‘It is a nice village. Don’t spoil it with ideas not in keeping with a country community. I think we should appreciate what we do have’ [Previous Page][Index][Next Page] [DF&F Main Menu] [Community Profiles Menu] [Community Appraisals Menu] [Top of Page] [Devon C.C. Homepage] Page Created: April 2002 This Information was provided by Corporate Information Services Send any comments, enquiries, etc. to DRIS@devon.gov.uk