Key Findings & Action Plan
Key Findings
1. GENERAL POPULATION STATISTICS
The form was returned by 359 households and this represents over 50% of the occupied households in Shaldon and Ringmore. The statistics which follow relate to the forms returned.
In the respondent group there were 37 males and 37 females under the age of 16. Of working age there were 181 men and 149 women. Men over 65 total 137 and women 214.
2. MILLENNIUM CENTRE
91% of respondents were in favour of developing the Teignhaven site for community use including the proposed Millennium Centre.
3. LEISURE ACTIVITIES IN THE CENTRE
Over 140 people supported each of the suggested activities with most support for Brownies/Guides, Cubs/Scouts and a youth club all mentioned by over 60% of respondents. There was least support for a luncheon club, whist drive and Women's Institute which were mentioned by less than 30%.
Over 100 (33%) people expressed an interest in a conservation group, dance, Horticultural Society, Information Technology, painting and drawing and a visitor interest centre.
4. SPORTING ACTIVITIES IN THE CENTRE
Overall most people were not interested in sporting activities in the Centre however most activities would be viable and there were enough willing organisers.
5. FINANCING FOR CHANGES
Fundraising for financing changes was ticked by 52%, 44% were in favour of sponsorship, whilst 40% thought a low increase in Council Tax would be appropriate and 19% a moderate increase. (Note - more than one box could be
ticked).
6. HOUSING NEEDS
36% said housing is needed for local people and for young people. 41% thought that no housing was needed.
7. SPORT, SOCIAL & ENTERTAINMENT
Sport, social and entertainment features for under 8's and over 60's are reported as good. Opinion is mixed on provision for 8-14 year olds between reasonable and poor, as is that for those between 25 and 60. 111 think they are good, 245 ticked reasonable and 118 thought provision poor.
8. SKATEBOARD OR SIMILAR FACILITY
Opinion on the need for a skateboard or similar facility was split 56% against and 44% for.
9. VILLAGE EVENTS
The Water Carnival and Regatta were graded as good and almost all people responded. 1785 was thought to be
good by 304 people, reasonable by 211 and poor by 77. On the Music Festival 37% had no opinion however, of those expressing an opinion, 67% said it was good. 146 people expressed no opinion on the Horticultural Show, those expressing an opinion were split between good and reasonable.
10. POLICE & NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Opinion is divided over police coverage, 40% (271) think it reasonable but 47% rated it poor. 66% of respondents have dwellings within the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and 76% who expressed an opinion thought it beneficial.
11. TRAFFIC WARDEN
57% of people expressing an opinion thought that the Parish Council should finance a seasonal Traffic Warden.
12. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
These included such aspects as street cleaning, refuse collection, provision of litter bins and street lighting and none were rated as poor.
13. RECYCLING
91% of respondents said that they were willing to keep certain items separate from their refuse for a recycling
collection, with 139 people saying that they would use a community composting scheme often and 284 occasionally.
14. TRAFFIC CALMING ETC.
The balance of opinion was just in favour of traffic calming in Bridge Road and Ringmore Road and marginally against pedestrianising Fore Street.
15. NUISANCES
There was a split on the nuisance created by skateboarding/skating but loud music was a problem for 138 people. Illegal parking was the dominant nuisance to 449 people.
16. DOGS
298 people were in favour of a year round dog ban on the controlled beaches and 333 against. On the question of the employment of a seasonal dog warden 341 were in favour and 266 against.
17. RETIREMENT/EMPLOYMENT
48% (322) of respondents are wholly retired. 18% (106) are employed and 16% self employed. 7 are unemployed and 43 are in full time education.
18. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Parish Council wishes to express its appreciation and thanks to the following without whose help and commitment much valuable information about our community would not be available:-
ALL THOSE WHO RETURNED THE APPRAISAL FORM, THE STEERING GROUP ABLY ASSISTED BY DELIVERERS AND COLLECTORS & MIKE KNIGHT OF THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL OF DEVON WHOSE PATIENT AND EVER PRESENT GUIDANCE WAS THE MOST ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT.
ACTION PLAN
The Steering Group has devised the following Action plan for
consideration by the Parish Council:-
1.a) To accept the opinions expressed on the Millennium Centre as a green light to continue with its application to the Millennium Commission and to note that a small increase in Council Tax would be acceptable to finance the balance of the project where grants are not forthcoming.
b) To note the support for a wide range of activities in the Centre and to arrange a meeting of potential users to obtain views to establish the most feasible range of facilities.
2. A considerable number of respondents were not aware of the range and scope of facilities in the village. The Parish Council is recommended to seek agreement for the names and addresses of the secretaries of all the village organisations to be included on the inside rear cover of the Parish News.
3. The views on the POLICE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH to be communicated to the Police authorities.
4. The housing needs information to be advised to Teignbridge District Council (TDC) to assist with the plans for a small number of low cost houses on the Teignhaven site.
5. The high level of support on recycling be referred to TDC assist with plans under consideration for a two bin refuse collection system.
6. To extend an invitation to a meeting of the Parish Council to a senior official from Devon County Council Highways Department for a discussion on traffic problems.
7. To review and report on the implications of employing seasonal Dog and Traffic Wardens.
8. To note that poop scoop bye-laws will shortly be introduced on the beach along Riverside with the aim of reducing the nuisance without the need for a total ban on dogs.