We have a relatively high proportion of our population who are retired. Our survey revealed 419 (39%) retired, 250 (23%) employed and 218 (20%) self-employed. 34 people are seeking employment. 239 people run a business and 80 of these are sole traders. Most businesses employ less than 4 people.

22 people intend becoming self-employed within the next 12 months. However, others feel that the following problems may prevent them from doing so:

• Start up finance would stop 72 people


• Lack of premises would stop 52 people


• Lack of business or technical skills 27 people

Provision of adult and vocational training locally was seen as dire by most respondents (307) expressing an opinion and 186 thought that there was no provision. This may be true, if not it needs better promotion.

312 people are interested in vocational training, mainly in computing/new technology (197), skilled/craft (110) and managerial (60).

Out of 981 people who responded to this question, 185 did not know any Salcombe Town councillors, 148 knew only 1 councillor, 147 knew 2, 119 knew 3, 122 knew 4, 67 knew 5, 60 knew 6, 31 knew 7, 39 knew 8, 15 knew 9, 14 knew 10, 4 knew 11 and 30 knew 12 (and I bet they were all related).

On the other hand 350 were happy with councillors representation of their views whilst 161 were not.

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